A police officer killed in Abbotsford yesterday (November 6) has been identified as Constable John Davidson.

The Abbotsford Police Department (APD) issued a media release that describes Davidson as a 24-year veteran law-enforcement officer. He was hired by Abbotsford police in 2006 and, before that, worked as a police officer in for the United Kingdom’s Northumbria Police force.

“John was a dedicated police officer who devoted so much of his time to connecting with the community and helping kids,” said Abbotsford police Constable Ian MacDonald quoted there.

The release states that Davidson is survived by his wife and three adult children.

A November 6 media release describes the events that led to Davidson’s death.

“At 11:35 am the Abbotsford Police Department received a report of a possible stolen vehicle in the parking lot of a shopping complex in the 3200 block of Mount Lehman Road. The caller blocked the suspected stolen vehicle in while awaiting police arrival. A male suspect then began shooting at the caller and others with a shotgun,” it reads.

“APD officers arrived in the area and attempted to engage and arrest the suspect. There was an exchange of gunfire. An APD officer was shot and injured during this contact with the suspect. The injured APD officer was transported to hospital with very serious injuries.”

The suspect was apprehended by Abbotsford police shortly after and remains in custody.

"Yesterday, the Abbotsford Police Department lost an amazing colleague and friend who died in the line of duty," the media release reads. "Our community lost a hero."