The funeral for Const. Eric Czapnik will be the largest police memorial in the city's history, and possibly one of the largest memorials ever held in Canada.
More than 5,000 police officers from across the country, as well as the United States, are expected to attend a ceremony for Czapnik at the Ottawa Civic Centre at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Thousands of Czapnik's colleagues from various police forces across the country will march behind his casket in a funeral procession that will begin at Carleton University at approximately noon.
The procession will leave the university, crossing Bronson Avenue and spilling out onto Sunnyside Avenue. It will then head northbound on Bank Street towards Lansdowne Park. Residents are invited to line the route to pay tribute to the slain officer.
Although the funeral is public, police warn there will be limited seating. Two large screens broadcasting the funeral will be made available for any overflow mourners. CTV Ottawa will also broadcast the ceremony live, starting at 1 p.m.
Czapnik was killed in a random attack outside the Civic Campus of the Ottawa Hospital during an overnight shift last week. He was responding to a low-risk call and was working alone at the time of the attack.
Ottawa police say Czapnik's death has touched thousands who have written messages of condolence for the fallen police officer, who leaves behind a wife and three children.
A trust fund for his children has been set up at all Scotiabank branches across Canada. Donations can be made to account #400060117811.
Visitations will be held today and tomorrow at the Beechwood Cemetery from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Czapnik's family has requested donations be made to the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation
