Episode 295: On the afternoon of December 20, 1974, a storekeeper in Calgary, Alberta, alerted the police about a customer, Philippe Laurier Gagnon, 26, who became aggressive after being denied the sale of airplane glue. The individual fled, and police pursued him to his residence two blocks away. When officers approached the suspect's residence, they were met with gunfire. Additional police, more than 130 officers, arrived to find the suspect armed with two rifles rifle in a garage. Gagnon refused to come out. A shootout ensued, resulting in the death of Detective Boyd Davidson, 43, after being shot in the neck. Six other officers were wounded by gunfire, and several others were injured.
After a military armoured car arrived, police gained the upper hand, smashed into the house and dislodged the gunman from his hideout. Gagnon, who had two rape convictions, a history of assault as well as a record of mental illness and drug abuse, also died at the scene in a hail of bullets as he charged at the officers.
Detective Davidson, a 23-year veteran of the police force and key figure in establishing the combined police and fire arson squad, left behind a wife and five children. His death and what was learned from the events led to the creation of the Calgary Police Service’s tactical team and changes to policing nationwide.
Sources:
Calgary Herald 21 Dec 1974, page 1
Edmonton Journal 24 Dec 1974, page 3
The Ottawa Journal 24 Dec 1974, page Page 2
The Vancouver Sun 28 Dec 1974, page 60
The Daily Herald-Tribune 30 Dec 1974, page 2
Black Friday: The day that changed policing in Canada
Calgray Herald - 40 years ago Black Friday transformed Calgary policing
Thugs, Thieves & Outlaws: A dark day for Calgary police
Calgary Police Service | Facebook
Tribute to fallen officers | Calgary Police
About our Tactical Unit | Calgary Police
Calgary's armoured rescue vehicle set to retire
Calgary police unveil new armoured vehicle | CBC News
Black Friday | YouthLinkYYC | YouTube
PTSD among Police Officers: Impact on Critical Decision Making
PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURIES
Public Safety Personnel’s interpretations of potentially traumatic events
Development of an Evidence-Informed Solution to Emotional Distress in Public Safety Personnel and Healthcare Workers: The Social Support, Tracking Distress, Education, and Discussion CommunitY (STEADY) Program
Calgary Police Service officer joins somber list of members killed in line of duty - Calgary
Driver in death of CPS officer sentenced to 12 years
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Black Friday Siege: The Murder of Detective Boyd Davidson | Dark Poutine - True Crime and Dark History podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast
