Slain police officer's funeral may draw thousands

The funeral for an Ottawa police officerwho was slain while on duty is expected to draw 4,000 of his colleagues Thursday.

The police funeral for Const. Ireneusz (Eric) Czapnik is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Ottawa Civic Centre (also known as the Urbandale Centre), at Lansdowne Park on Bank Street.

The funeral will be preceded by a procession from Carleton University that is expected to begin around noon and cause some road closures between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Ottawa police said Wednesday.

Czapnik, 51, wasstabbed to death Dec. 29beside his cruiser attheOttawa Hospital's Civic Campus. The father of four had worked for the Ottawa Police Service since 2007.

Kevin Gregson, a suspended Saskatchewan RCMP officer, has been charged with first-degree murder.

Ottawa policeChief Vern White said thousands of sworn and civilian members of police services from across Canada and the United States are expected to attend the funeral.

"Policing is like a big brotherhood, and whenever anyone goes down in the line of duty, its felt across the country," said Supt. Brad Doucette, an Edmonton police officer who travelled to Ottawa to attend the service

A spokesman for the Ottawa Police Association said RCMP officers are being encouraged to attend Thursday's service.

"Weve heard some concern from them that its hurt them and they are not certain if they are welcome," Steve Boucher, president of the association. "Well, the message is absolutely they are welcome.

"This is an act of an individual. Its not a reflection of the rest of those people that work for the RCMP, and were going to welcome them with open arms to celebrate Erics life."

Chief White added in a statement that space for the public will be limited, but people are welcome to view the funeral ceremony on a giant screen at the Aberdeen Pavilion, located at Lansdowne Park near the Urbandale Centre. They may also view the funeral procession anywhere along the route.

"We are making every effort to ensure the community can participate," White said.

The procession will start at Carleton University Fieldhouse, travel east along Sunnyside Avenue to Bank Street, then head north to Lansdowne Park.

Ottawa police Supt. Charles Bordeleau, who is overseeing the funeral arrangements, said a team of 35 has been working for a week on the event, which is complicated because of the multiple venues.

"But we're very confident that the tribute that we will be paying to Const. Czapnik and his family will be very fitting for his service to the community."

The visitation for Czapnik was to continue Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Beechwood Cemetery.