Constable Pham ``a modern day hero''

The funeral service for OPP Constable Vu Pham brought out tears and laughter in the thousands of police who gathered in mourning in Wingham on Friday afternoon. 

OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said, "Constable Pham, you may stand down.  You have made us proud."

Fantino also called Pham "a modern day hero".

Premier Dalton McGuinty addressed his remarks to Pham's children, saying how proud the three boys should be of their father.

Some of Pham's former partners from the OPP spoke of his friendship and excellence as a police officer.

But, the words that said the most came from Pham's children, who remembered time spent playing hockey with their father, going hunting, or being comforted by him when they were sad.

Pham's widow, Heather spoke of how she feared the day might come when her husband would be taken from her.

She also spoke of how her husband was a man who would offer forgiveness in this situation, and she said she would do the same.

Following the ceremony the thousands of police who attended marched through Wingham in an honour guard procession.