Anthony Woods: Thousands gather to farewell fallen officer at Optus Stadium funeral

Thousands have gathered to unite with family, friends and colleagues of Const. Anthony Woods to honour the young officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty.

Const. Woods died of devastating injuries he received when he was run over while trying to arrest the driver of a stolen car in Ascot last month.

The 28-year-old’s death sent a wave of grief across the country, and the community has wrapped its arms around WA Police’s “blue family”, which was left reeling after the routine arrest turned to tragedy.

Thousands of police officers have attended the police funeral at Optus Stadium along with dignitaries, including Police Commissioner Col Blanch, WA Governor Chris Dawson, Police Minister Paul Papalia and Premier Roger Cook.

WA Police Union president Paul Gale, shadow police minister Peter Collier and police officers from across the country are also in attendance.

Dozens of community members, including St John WA paramedics, have gathered at the BHP Amphitheatre to watch a live stream of the service and pay their respects to the officer.

The emotional service started with a lone piper leading Const. Woods into the room as mourners got to their feet and he was saluted by the police commissioner.

Police Chaplain Paul Trimble said Const. Woods loved being a police officer and was doing what he loved on the night he died.

“Eventually Anthony grabbed hold of the driver, knowing he was not going to let him get away,” he said.

“Anthony was in his element and wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else in that moment.

“Because everyone who knows him knows how much he loved doing his job.

“Anthony was in one second doing everything that he loved to the next everything stopping for him in that moment.

“But for his family, friends and all who loved him, it was the start of our unimaginable grief.”

He said his family did not leave his side in the days he fought for his life in hospital, breaking down in tears as he told how much that would have meant to the 28-year-old.

The chaplain told how he loved sports including football and cricket — with his teammates in attendance at the funeral today.

Const. Woods is the 88th WA police officer to die in the line of duty and leaves behind his wife, Emily, parents, Natalie and Todd and siblings, Nathan and Brooke.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement on Thursday morning paying tribute to Const. Woods.

“All Australians join the family of Const. Anthony Woods in mourning. He was a young man cruelly robbed of his future. A husband, son, brother and uncle taken from his loved ones. An Australian who went to work and never came home,” he said.

“Like all police officers, Const. Woods knew the risks his job entailed. Yet he bravely performed his duties, putting himself in harm’s way so others could be safe.

“The hearts of all Australians go out to his wife, Emily, and all his family. We grieve with his friends, his workmates, and the broader police community, whose every member feels each loss so very deeply.

“May Const. Woods rest in peace.”

After the funeral service, Mr Blanch will broadcast a message on the police radio to officers across the State, who, if possible, will get out of their police cars wherever they are for a minute’s silence.

Thousands of officers will also stand in a guard of honour as Const. Woods’ hearse leaves the stadium for Karrakatta Cemetery under police escort.

Landmarks across Perth will light up blue in Const. Woods’ honour tonight, including Optus Stadium, Yagan Square and Elizabeth Quay.

Transperth buses displayed Const. Wood’s PD number on Thursday morning.

Const. Woods, who worked at Belmont police station, had finished his probation just a month before he died.

The sergeant on duty with Const. Woods, on the night of his death, has been hailed a hero after he somehow managed to apprehend the driver of the car and two others before desperately trying to save the officer’s life.

The pair had tried to stop the suspicious white sedan allegedly bearing stolen numberplates when it stopped in Ascot Place, a cul-de-sac.

Police say Const. Woods had tried to apprehend the driver before the car suddenly reversed, and he was dragged underneath and pinned by the vehicle.

Neighbours gave the officers a carjack to help free Const. Woods before his colleagues gave him CPR before paramedics arrived.

The driver of the car, Reagan Ainslie Chown, 23, was charged with murdering Const. Woods in the wake of his death.

He appeared in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court for the first time on Wednesday — a day before the officer’s funeral — and was remanded back into custody with no pleas taken.

Mr Chown is also charged with stealing a motor vehicle, reckless driving to escape pursuit by police, failing to stop for a police officer and possessing methamphetamine and a drug implement.