Slain Calgary police officer Sgt. Andrew Harnett honoured with regimental funeral
Funeral kept private at request of family, but procession and flypast were livestreamed
A regimental funeral for a Calgary police officer killed in the line of duty was held on Saturday afternoon and included a livestreamed procession following the service and a flypast by two CF-18s.
Officials said that due to COVID-19 restrictions, only people who were invited could attend the 1 p.m. MT service to honour Sgt. Andrew Harnett.
The Calgary Police Service was granted an exemption from Alberta Health to allow 50 people to take part in the ceremony.
The service said the exemption comes with a set of strict protocols and stringent oversight by health officials.
Harnett died on New Year's Eve after he was struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop, and two people have been charged with first-degree murder in his death.
The 37-year-old leaves behind his wife, Chelsea, who is to give birth to their first child in the summer.
Police said the funeral was not shared publicly at the request of the family. However, the procession was livestreamed.
The route was lined by members of the Honour Guard, some public officials and other first responders.
Two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets from 410 Squadron at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alta., conducted the flypast of the memorial service at about 3 p.m. MT.
It took place over the police headquarters building in northeast Calgary.
The flypast paid respect to Harnett and honoured his service and sacrifice in protecting Canadians and citizens of Calgary, both as a member of the Calgary police and a former member of the military police in the Canadian Armed Forces.
With files from CBC Calgary