Below is a letter that was sent by the Jewish Federation of Edmonton to the Edmonton Police Commission and the Edmonton Police Service following yesterday’s tragic events.
June 9th, 2015
Dear Commissioner Shami Sandhu, Chief Rod Knecht, and Deputy Chief Danielle Campbell,
It is with a heavy heart that we send you this letter. On behalf of the Edmonton Jewish Community we offer our heartfelt condolences over the death of Constable Daniel Woodall.
Over the last few years, we have had the pleasure of working with Constable Woodall in his capacity with the Hate Crimes unit. Though we saw Daniel as a friend of the Jewish Community, we also recognized his commitment to the safety and security of the City of Edmonton and its civilians. Like all residents of our City, we are devastated by his loss. But his loss exemplifies why we feel safer and more secure living here and why we are thankful, every day, for the service of our EPS members. We cannot imagine a world in which people like Constable Woodall did not dedicate themselves to the service of the public.
The Jewish Community values its relationship with the Edmonton Police Service. That relationship helps ensure our community is a safer and more secure place for all residents of our City, including those who may be more vulnerable or who may be targeted for their ethnicity, culture, race or sexual orientation. Building personal relationships with EPS not only makes us safer, but makes us feel more secure, and one cannot place a value on feeling secure.
Constable Woodall suffered the ultimate sacrifice carrying out his duties, working to make our community safe for everyone. His tragedy highlights the risks he and other members of the EPS undertake daily on behalf of every resident of our City, so that not only are we safe and secure, but we also feel safe and secure. There is no greater gift he could have given to us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Constable Daniel Woodall’s wife and children, family, friends, and with every EPS member. Please pass our condolences to his family. May his memory be always for a blessing.
We would also like to wish Sergeant Jason Harley a speedy and full recovery. Undoubtedly Sergeant Harley will have suffered not just physical but also emotional trauma. We wish for and hope, with time, he is able to make a full recovery both physically and emotionally. Please pass on our good wishes to him and his family and our thanks for his service.
Sincerely,
Ellery Lew
President,
The Jewish Federation of Edmonton
Steven Shafir
VP and Chair, Community Relations Committee
The Jewish Federation of Edmonton
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