ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — The Abbotsford Police Department has created its annual Christmas card after a challenging year that included the fatal shooting of Const. John Davidson.
Cards in previous years have offered tongue-in-cheek messages to "naughty" criminals or gang members, urging them to make changes for the better, but this year's card relays gratitude.
The 2017 card depicts first responders from across the Lower Mainland around a Christmas tree with their hands on the shoulders of fellow officers, including Chief Bob Rich, who is dressed as Santa and on one knee to honour Davidson.
The department says in a news release that the card is also meant to thank the community and police departments across the globe for their support following Davidson's death.
As a show of solidarity, the card also includes the insignias of B.C.'s other municipal police forces, the RCMP and other first responders.
The release from the department says this year's card reflects the tragic circumstances its members still grapple with, as well as the "enormous gratitude" for the support offered following the Nov. 6 shooting.
#abbypd offers our 2017 Operation Resolution Christmas Card today. Happy Christmas everyone. Thank you for standing with us even when we needed to take a knee. https://t.co/Aov7KEI0kH pic.twitter.com/2luSCSV6bV
— Abbotsford Police (@AbbyPoliceDept) December 20, 2017