Politics·Photos

Canada honours Sgt. Andrew Doiron on the Highway of Heroes

The body of Sgt. Andrew Doiron was returned to Canada on Tuesday. Canadians gathered along the Highway of Heroes to pay tribue to Doiron, who was killed in Iraq, in what has been described as a "friendly fire" incident.

Body of Canadian soldier killed in Iraq returns home

Michael Bolen · CBC News · Posted: Mar 10, 2015 6:25 PM EDT | Last Updated: March 10, 2015

Sgt. Andrew Doiron was killed in Iraq on Friday, the first casualty of Canada's mission against ISIS. On Tuesday, he returned home.

Doiron was shot and killed in what has been called a "friendly fire" incident as his special forces unit was on its way back to an observation post. Three other Canadians were wounded in the firefight.

Officials with the Kurdish peshmerga have blamed the Canadians for the shooting, a claim Canadian officials have denied. Canadian officials have said the Canadians were not at fault and had been at the same position earlier in the day and informed the Kurds they would return later that night.

What is not in doubt is the outpouring of support for the soldiers and their families in the wake of the incident.

Many gathered on windy overpasses and dusty shoulders to say goodbye to Sgt. Doiron

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HighwayofHeros?src=hash">#HighwayofHeros</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/supportourtroops?src=hash">#supportourtroops</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/iamcanadian?src=hash">#iamcanadian</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pride?src=hash">#pride</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Toronto?src=hash">#Toronto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada?src=hash">#Canada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Doiron?src=hash">#Doiron</a> <a href="http://t.co/iTO4UbeKUL">pic.twitter.com/iTO4UbeKUL</a>
—@tracylyn44

Thank you Sgt. Doiron, you make me proud to be part of this Country. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family <a href="http://t.co/CdkCfH4cBo">pic.twitter.com/CdkCfH4cBo</a>
—@nathansnoek77

Brock St in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Whitby?src=hash">#Whitby</a> showing support and respect for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Doiron?src=hash">#Doiron</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HighwayofHeros?src=hash">#HighwayofHeros</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanadaStrong?src=hash">#CanadaStrong</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/proudCanadian?src=hash">#proudCanadian</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPDoiron?src=hash">#RIPDoiron</a> <a href="http://t.co/3YSKbLeU0h">pic.twitter.com/3YSKbLeU0h</a>
—@InkedbyEI

At Port Hope Cranberry rd for the repatriation of Sgt. Andrew Doiron <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/respect?src=hash">#respect</a> <a href="http://t.co/bCLxA83acL">pic.twitter.com/bCLxA83acL</a>
—@35dlink

Police officers paid their final respects

With respect and honour, the flag is lowered as Sgt Doiron travels the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HighwayOfHeros?src=hash">#HighwayOfHeros</a> today. RIP <a href="http://t.co/XvnbcOGpr7">pic.twitter.com/XvnbcOGpr7</a>
—@drummond17

• Sincerest condolences to the family & friends of Sgt.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AndrewDoiron?src=hash">#AndrewDoiron</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OPP?src=hash">#OPP</a> accompanying cortege along <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HighwayOfHeroes?src=hash">#HighwayOfHeroes</a> <a href="http://t.co/OMIJLa6s3z">pic.twitter.com/OMIJLa6s3z</a>
—@OPP_News

The flags at 43 Division are lowered in respect and honour to Sgt. Doiron <a href="http://t.co/33d4MfjGuM">pic.twitter.com/33d4MfjGuM</a>
—@TPS43DAux

We are here with the YIPIs waiting for Sgt Doiron at the Morningside Bridge <a href="http://t.co/uGgRLP48T4">pic.twitter.com/uGgRLP48T4</a>
—@TPS43DAux

As did firefighters

Highway of heroes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fallensoldier?src=hash">#fallensoldier</a> <a href="http://t.co/PcQW2LsRCc">pic.twitter.com/PcQW2LsRCc</a>
—@MeganMarinoff

And soldiers

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HighwayOfHeroes?src=hash">#HighwayOfHeroes</a> R.I.P. Sgt. Doiron <a href="https://twitter.com/quintewest">@quintewest</a> & Canada salutes your sacrifice. Start of HOH <a href="http://t.co/yOHa9ZuHVo">http://t.co/yOHa9ZuHVo</a> <a href="http://t.co/utBVMc7gG2">pic.twitter.com/utBVMc7gG2</a>
—@DuncArmstrongQW

And politicians

Honoured to accompany <a href="https://twitter.com/GGDavidJohnston">@GGDavidJohnston</a> in paying respects to Sergeant Andrew Doiron at CFB Trenton ramp ceremony. One of Canada's finest.
—@jkenney

Canadians gathered to wave flags

Come to Highway of Heroes 4pm-7pm Mar10 on 401 bridges Trenton to Keele St Toronto~Updates: <a href="https://twitter.com/OPP_COMM_ER">@OPP_COMM_ER</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnrepat?src=hash">#cdnrepat</a> <a href="http://t.co/44avNtKXG3">pic.twitter.com/44avNtKXG3</a>
—@CanadianHeroes