Ezio Faraone memorial draws hundreds for 25th anniversary

He was a man with many best friends, dozens of whom came to commemorate his life and legacy on the 25th anniversary of his death Thursday.

A memorial service honoured 33-year-old Edmonton police officer Ezio Faraone, who was killed on the job on June 25, 1990.

Faraone was shot after he stopped a getaway car following a bank robbery.

Dale Brenneis was playing with his 10-month-old baby when he got the call about his friend's death. The pair had stood beside each other at police recruit class graduation. They were close.

But then, many people felt that way about "Ez."

"Everyone would have said he was their best friend," Brenneis said. "That's just how he made people feel."

The days and weeks after Brenneis gathered with other officers at headquarters that night, trying not to break down, are a blur. His reasons to throw his whole heart into his work, like his friend did, remain crystal clear.

"You've just got to keep going. It's a reality of police work."

'Something beautiful out of our sorrow'

A church nearby struck two bells as the memorial began. Nearly the same moment Faraone was killed.

"We created something beautiful out of our sorrow," said former police chief Doug McNally.

He recalled the hours of fundraising, hard work and sweat that the policing community put into creating the memorial park where the crowd of hundreds of current and retired police officers and their families gathered.

And he assured Faraone's family that "the Edmonton Police Service and this community will never forget."

"We loved him in life, and we love him still."

For the last 15 years, police recruit classes have been brought to the park on the anniversary of his death. One of those classes was there for Thursday's memorial.

Recruits stood at attention beside Faraone's statue as his former roommate told them about his friend.

'The person behind the metal'

"It's important for them to know the person behind the metal," said Ray Hogan.

He described a funny, kind man who would call out of the blue with a joke or a smile. A man who won friends easily and kept them for life.

Hogan said Faraone extended the same kindness to the people he policed, a gesture he wants each new class of police officers in the city to remember.

"You have to believe that it's more than just a job. You have to believe it's a calling."

The family of Const. Daniel Woodall, who was killed on the job less than three weeks ago, was also in attendance.

After the ceremony, Claire Woodall posed for pictures with the couple's two young sons at the foot of the Faraone memorial statue.

Police Chief Rod Knecht said there are already plans to add a plaque and some other kind of commemorative art to honour Const. Woodall's memory.