Calgary constable Andrew Harnett honoured at 45th annual Memorial Service

Today marks Alberta’s Police and Peace Officers Memorial Day.

The ceremony is taking place on the south grounds of the Alberta legislature at 1 p.m. today.

This is also the same day as the Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial Day ceremony taking place in Ottawa.

Proud to share a few photos of our members at the 45th annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, held at Parliament Hill in Ottawa earlier today. #HonourInService #HeroesInLife pic.twitter.com/X9ZexVzaOZ

— Windsor Police (@WindsorPolice) September 25, 2022

The occasion is to remember the police and peace officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

To date, the Calgary police force has lost 12 members in the line of duty.

The legislature will be filled with police and peace officers paying tribute to fallen officers in the line of duty, on the same day the memorial ceremony takes place in Ottawa.

“We’re in Ottawa for the 45th annual Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial Service where fallen officers are honoured annually, and this year sergeant Andrew Harnett was honoured this year specifically,” said Deputy Chief Chad Tawfik from the Community Policing Bureau of the Calgary Police Service.

Harnett was killed during a traffic stop on New Year’s Eve in Calgary’s northeast a couple of years ago.

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“Sargeant Harnett obviously a huge leader within our organization and in the community and he was honored here today in front of thousands of police officers who attend this event every year, including many of his peers who traveled from Calgary to be here for it. To recognize his contribution to public safety,” said Tawfik.

“A lot of stories, positive memories of Andrew that are told, and the other officers too, you learn about their stories from their careers and their lives.”

“And meeting with other agencies, officers from across Canada for a common purpose here it’s pretty special,” said Tawfik.

Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro issued a statement on Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day.

“Today is a day to pause and honour the sacrifice of 101 Alberta police and peace officers who have died in the line of duty since 1876,” Sandro said.  “Each of these men and women answered the call to serve their community and carried out their duties with professionalism and courage. These officers made the ultimate sacrifice, but they are also, as the expression goes, ‘heroes in life’ who made a difference in their communities every day.”

The ceremony includes speeches from dignitaries and a reading of the names of Alberta’s fallen officers.

This year is the first time since COVID-19 that they’ve been able to come together to pay respect to the fallen officers.

— With files from Adaline Gladu.