Something in Abbotsford will be named for Const. John Davidson, it’s just a matter of determining what and when, Mayor Henry Braun says.
An online petition launched last week calling for the renaming of Automall Drive to John Davidson Way has now garnered more than 16,000 signatures.
Braun said council hasn’t yet considered such plans, with the focus still being on supporting the Abbotsford Police and Davidson’s family.
The city has a formal process for renaming roads, with council getting the final say after a consultation process with businesses and other affected individuals and groups.
Braun said he couldn’t say whether Automall Drive would be renamed, but he said he “can’t imagine” some city infrastructure not eventually bearing Davidson’s name, so long as his family is onboard.
“I have no doubt that we will make a right choice that will be a credit to his memory,” he said. “As to what that might be, that will be a conversation in the future.”
At the present moment, he said the focus is on Davidson’s family, friends and co-workers. There has been an outpouring of support in the days since Davidson’s death, but Braun said those affected will need support far into the future.
Braun is expecting a large crowd to turn out for Sunday’s memorial for Davidson.
“The community is hurt at many different levels and this is a way to honour someone who was not only a hero, was a great dad, a friend and who went out of his way to volunteer at so many things.