Under damp and windy skies, a steady stream of mourners filed into a recreation centre in Windsor, Ont., Thursday for the funeral of a police officer killed while on duty a week earlier.
The hearse carrying Const. John Atkinson makes its way through the streets of Windsor, Ont., on Thursday. (CBC)
FROM MAY 5, 2006: Windsor police officer gunned down in broad daylight
Const. John Atkinson, a 14-year veteran of the Windsor Police Service, was shot on May 5 outside a convenience store in the southern Ontario city while working undercover.
Led by the hearse carrying Atkinson's coffin, the funeral procession wound its way to a large recreation centre at the University of Windsor, one of the city's only facilities large enough to accommodate thousands of people.
Six Windsor police officers carried the casket inside as Atkinson's widow, Shelley, greeted mourners at the door, hugging Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis and Police Chief Glenn Stannard.
Atkinson, 37, had a seven-year-old daughter Nicole and a nine-year-old son Mitchell, who accompanied their mother.
'He was an awesome policeman'
Dozens of RCMP in their red serge formal uniforms sat among hundreds of blue-clad police officers from across Canada and the United States. They wore black armbands with Atkinson's badge number — 6744.
Almost 200 London police officers volunteered to patrol Windsor streets during the funeral so Atkinson's colleagues could attend.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty spoke at the service, along with two Windsor police officers.
One of Atkinson's colleagues said the slain officer was known as Smiley for his "infectious ear-to-ear smile," while another said he was "the yardstick by which other officers were measured."
Windsor's police chief spoke of Atkinson's dedication to his job, family and community.
"I've heard many stories of his investigative services around his neighbourhood," said Stannard. "He'd go out and investigate, come home and spend time writing reports at home and call them into the station.
"He was an awesome policeman."
Son's class to release doves
Classmates of Atkinson's son released white doves outside the centre when the ceremony ended. The family was to hold a private burial at a nearby cemetery.
Atkinson was shot and killed on the afternoon of May 5 after he approached two teenagers outside a store.
Two 18-year-olds, Nikkolas Robert Brennan and Coty Clifford Defausses, have been charged with first-degree murder. Brennan faces a weapons charge, while they both face charges of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking involving crack cocaine.
Atkinson is believed to be the first officer in the history of the Windsor police force who has been killed while on duty.
Earlier in the week, thousands of people gathered on the city's waterfront for a candlelight vigil.