EPS holds 2nd annual Woodall Cup soccer game in memory of slain officer
Mack Lamoureux | CBC News | Posted: September 12, 2016 2:28 AM | Last Updated: September 12, 2016
'We always feel these things wherever they are,' says Manchester officer who flew in for the game
Sept. 11 may not seem like the right day to hold a soccer game but for the family, friends and co-workers of Daniel Woodall, it's a perfect choice.
"I'm not trying to give it a comparison, but there were tragic circumstances for both. To put this date as first responders date, it's really well done and I understand why they did it," said Claire Woodall, Daniel's wife.
"It's hard to put into words, all these first responders, all these people who lost their lives on the day.
"I still remember where I was when it happened, just the same as I remember what I was doing when I found out about Dan."
Last summer, Daniel Woodall, an eight-year veteran of the Edmonton police service, was shot several times on the doorstep of a home in west Edmonton while serving an arrest warrant relating to a hate crimes matter.
To honour him, the second annual Woodall Cup was held at Edmonton's Clarke Stadium on Sunday.
The event is an apt tribute to the 35 year old Brit who was a massive soccer fan. Almost every game his favourite team, the Manchester United, played he would meet with other ex-pats to take in the game at a local bar.
I still remember where I was when it happened, just the same as I remember what I was doing when I found out about Dan. - Claire Woodall
The Woodall Cup is put on by FC Edmonton, EPS and Danny Greenwood, a prominent member of Edmonton's soccer community. Like last year, it was the British Selects, a team made up of British ex-pats, taking on the EPS Blues. The players took the field shortly after FC Edmonton finished up their game against Miami.
After the 90 minutes were up the British Selects took the cup home with a score of three to zero.
The win shouldn't be surprising, as the team flew in some ringers from the Manchester police force — where Woodall used to serve.
Dominic Beaver, a Constable with the Greater Manchester Police, came to play in the tournament with five other officers.
"We always feel these things wherever they are, especially with the close links with the police force in England. He used to work with the Greater Manchester Police, I think that he joined around the same time as me," said Beaver.
"We really did feel it at home."
It just shows how much he meant to everyone, he worked in Manchester and he obviously left his mark there before he left. - Ray Wilson
Beaver said outside of one of the police training camps in Manchester there sits a Maple Tree — planted in memory of Daniel Woodall.
Const. Ray Wilson, Woodall's partner in the Edmonton Police Service's Hate Crimes Unit, said the fact that everyone came together speaks to the kind of person Woodall was.
"It just shows how much he meant to everyone. He worked in Manchester and he obviously left his mark there before he left and that's why they're here, to honour him. It shows that they want to show their gratitude,"
"For them to come over here to do this, it's great."
The event raises money for the family of William Breen and Zebra Child Protection Centre. Breen, who played in the first Woodall Cup with the British ex-pats, died unexpectedly last year. Much like Woodall, he left behind a young wife and children. This year's game raised $7,000.
We'll never forget what happened, no one will ever forget and I think, maybe, Edmonton feels the same way about how Dan died. - Claire Woodall
The slain officer's children were at the event and Claire Woodall said they're taking after their father and starting to love soccer. She said her late husband would have been amazed, and embarrassed, by the event.
Just as Woodall's family will never forget a man killed far too young in the line of duty, his widow believes the city won't either.
"We'll never forget what happened, no one will ever forget and I think, maybe, Edmonton feels the same way about how Dan died.
"Maybe they won't forget about that."