Hundreds of police officers and dignitaries from all branches of emergency services have filed into Perth’s Optus Stadium for the funeral of Constable Anthony Woods.
The 28-year-old died in hospital on June 11, four days after he was allegedly run down and dragged by a car during an early morning vehicle stop in the inner-east Perth suburb of Ascot.
Mourners braved a chilly, overcast Perth morning as they waited to be let into the private service on Thursday, the facade of Optus Stadium illuminated in blue lights.
Although the forecast called for a high chance of rain, it graciously held off as uniformed officers, some donning their full dress uniform, entered the stadium.
Constable Anthony Woods’ wife Emily (pictured) took to the podium during the moving funeral
Police on motorbikes lead the sombre event at Perth’s Optus Stadium
Mourners took in the emotional tributes that poured out for Constable Woods (pictured, Ms Woods)
Constable Woods (pictured, with his wife) died in hospital on June 11, four days after he was allegedly run down and dragged by a car during an early morning vehicle stop
Some of the officers in attendance had come from as far away as NSW, while Queensland Police Service paid tribute to the fallen constable on social media.
‘Today, we are thinking of our (WA Police) colleagues as they farewell Constable Woods. With Honour He Served,’ it posted on Twitter on Thursday morning.
Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese posted a tribute to the young man ahead of the service.
Representatives from the Australian Defence Force and St John Ambulance also headed inside as invited guests, joined by family and friends of the late Constable Woods.
Outside, members of the public gathered to watch the service in the BHP Amphitheatre, which features a large screen normally used for broadcasting whatever sporting event is taking place inside the venue at the time.
Those in attendance included WA Governor, and former police commissioner, Chris Dawson, Police Commissioner Col Blanch, Premier Roger Cook and his Police Minister Paul Papalia, and federal Opposition Leader and former Queensland police officer Peter Dutton.
The funeral comes just a day after the man allegedly responsible for running down Constable Woods, Reagan Chown, fronted Perth’s Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court.
The 23-year-old appeared on a charge of murder, upgraded in the wake of Constable Woods’ death.
Mr Chown’s was adjourned until August 30 when he’ll appear on all charges relating to the alleged incident.
Police say Mr Chown was behind the wheel of a car that bore stolen number plates when it was pulled over by Constable Woods and his partner about 1am on June 8.
Some of the officers in attendance had come from as far away as NSW (pictured, the casket during the service)
Eulogies were given by Constable Woods’ brother Nathan, mother Natalie, childhood mates, colleagues from Belmont Police Station, and his wife Emily
Officers packed out the service on Thursday (pictured) while the Queensland Police Service paid tribute to the fallen constable on social media
A few dozen members of the public gathered outside the Optus Stadium in gloomy weather to watch a live-stream of the funeral for Constable Woods (pictured)
Federal Opposition Leader and former Queensland police officer Peter Dutton (pictured) attended the solemn service
Constable Woods (pictured) is the 88th WA Police officer to die in the line of duty
Ms Woods paid tribute to her husband (pictured) as he was remembered as a ‘great protector’
As the officers tried to apprehend three people in the vehicle, Mr Chown allegedly reversed over Constable Woods and dragged him some distance, causing him catastrophic injuries.
Other officers arrived and they had to lift the vehicle off Constable Woods and perform CPR until paramedics arrived.
Mr Chown is the first person to be charged over the alleged killing of a WA police officer in the line of duty in 16 years since Constable Damien Murphy was run down by an unlicensed driver in 2007.
His killer was later jailed on a charge of manslaughter.
Constable Woods is the 88th WA Police officer to die in the line of duty.
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