Abbotsford, British Columbia, police officer killed in the line of duty identified

The police officer killed Monday in Abbotsford, British Columbia, has been identified as Const. John Davidson, who worked in law enforcement for 24 years.

The Abbotsford Police Service described Davidson as an “extraordinary colleague and friend” and “a dedicated police officer.” He began his career in policing in the United Kingdom and was hired by the Abbotsford force in 2006.

He leaves behind his wife and three adult children.

Davidson was killed while trying to arrest a suspect who allegedly opened fire in the parking lot of a shopping center in the 3200 block of Mount Lehman Road just before noon PT.

Police were responding to a call about a stolen vehicle when a man began shooting at the caller and other witnesses with a shotgun. When police arrived, they returned fire and Davidson was shot.

Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich said Davidson died in the line of duty.

“We train our police officers that when someone is putting people's lives in danger and there is an active shooter, we no longer wait to take cover, the first person to come in will take cover. go John Davidson was the first person to come in and he left,” Rich said.

“He died protecting you and me.”

The suspect is now called Oscar Arfmann. The Alberta man in his 60s was injured during the subsequent takedown and escorted to hospital.

He is currently in custody and has been charged with first degree murder. Under the Canadian Criminal Code, the murder of a peace officer automatically constitutes a charge of first degree murder.

The BC Independent Investigations Office, the province's civilian police investigative agency, and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team are investigating the shooting.

A growing memorial

Meanwhile, community members come to terms with the loss of a man described as a “hero.”

On Monday evening, around 11 p.m., Davidson's body was transferred from Abbotsford to the Royal Columbia Hospital in New Westminster, British Columbia, under full police escort.

Officers from the Abbotsford Police Service and local RCMP detachments lined the roadside to pay their respects.

At Abbotsford police headquarters, ordinary citizens did the same, lighting candles, laying flowers and leaving handwritten cards outside the station doors.

Some of those condolences come from younger members of the community, who Davidson has worked hard to connect with.

Nicole Provost, 23, was a student at WJ Mouat secondary school between 2008 and 2012 where Const. Davidson worked as a liaison officer at the high school.

She said he was truly one of her friends.

“He made fun of almost everything the students said and he made the students feel good about themselves and that they were enough no matter what,” Provost said. “He was a really nice guy to have in your life as a teenager.”

Dorreen Paul came to the vigil with her four-year-old daughter who she said wants to be a police officer when she grows up. Paul, who was born and raised in the Fraser Valley town, said it was important for them to be there.

“It's the community and he was there to protect us. She wants to be a part of it,” she said. “We are sorry for this loss. We will keep their family in our prayers.”

Abbotsford police tweeted their thanks to the many people who stopped, writing “in the deepest darkness there can be light. We see you. There are so many of you. Thank you for being there for us.”