By Steve Fairbairn, The Associated Press
Cobourg, Ont. (CP) -- In an unending line of blue, more than 3,000 police officers from all over North America marched in military-style parade Thursday to pay their respects to a colleague, this eastern Ontario town’s first murder victim in almost 30 years.
The funeral, with all the markings of the highest possible police honour, came five days after 39-year-old Const. Chris Garrett, an officer with 18 years experience, was stabbed to death with a hunting knife after responding to a 911 call.
“It’s a tragedy,” said resident Dennis Guineon, a 52-year-old machine operator.
“It was a total senseless act, it never should have happened. Chris Garret was an honourable man and he was a credit to the community.”
Anna Leblanc, a 35-year Cobourg resident, said the community is in a state of shock.
In a show of respect, flags in Cobourg and neighbouring Port Hope were flying at half-mast.
Local businesses were either closed or gave their employees time off to attend the funeral. Large banners of support could be seen in windows and on strip mall signs.
Students also got the day off with both public and Catholic schools cancelling classes to allow the community to grieve.
Garrett was killed early Saturday while responding to an emergency call indicating that someone was being robbed in a parking lot.
Two other officers started searching the area for a suspect while Garrett was questioning the individual.
Shots rang out and the officers came back to the parking lot to find Garrett fatally wounded.
An autopsy concluded Garrett died from a knife wound.
A charge of first-degree murder has been laid against Troy Davey, 18, who has a scheduled court appearance May 25.
It’s the first homicide in Cobourg since 1975, and the first of a police officer in the town of 17,000.
Garrett was married with a 14-year-old son and nine-year-old stepdaughter and was described as devoted to his family.