Exemption granted for Calgary police officer's funeral to allow 50 people to attend
Exemptions for personal and corporate reasons are available to all Albertans to apply
The funeral of Sgt. Andrew Harnett — who was killed while on duty New Year's Eve — was granted a 50 in-person service by Alberta Health.
The service will be held Jan. 9 and due to COVID-19 restrictions, in-person attendance at the regimental funeral service is by invite only and will include his family, close friends and colleagues.
In a release, police say that based on the exceptional circumstances and Harnett's ultimate sacrifice, his funeral was permitted an exception to the COVID-19 protocols.
These types of exemptions for personal and corporate reasons are available to all Albertans and can be applied for.
In past years, a Calgary Police Service regimental funeral ceremony includes a variety of customs and traditions — a Bearer Party, honourary pallbearers and a Colour Guard who ensure any officer killed in the line of duty is honoured.
However Harnett's funeral will have a strict set of protocols overseen by health officials.
Police say they collaborated with the Ontario Provincial Police who held a similar, restricted service in November following the death of Const. Marc Hovingh.
At the request of the family, Saturday's 1 p.m. funeral ceremony will not be shared publicly.
However following the formal ceremony, a procession will occur which will be live-streamed for all to see.
- WATCH the procession held for Sgt. Andrew Harnett earlier this week in the video below
