MONCTON, N.B. -- The city of Moncton is preparing to welcome thousands of police officers from across Canada as it plans an RCMP regimental funeral service Tuesday for the three Mounties shot dead last week in the line of duty.
Mayor George LeBlanc said he expects between 5,000 and 7,000 police officers will attend the funeral at the Moncton Coliseum, which will be preceded by an RCMP parade. The service for constables Fabrice Georges Gevaudan, Douglas James Larche and Dave Joseph Ross will be televised.
LeBlanc said the city's outpouring of support for the families of the slain officers has been one of the bright lights within a dark time.
"If you just look around here today, it won't take you long to see somebody coming up and shaking the hands of an RCMP officer," LeBlanc said before attending a public visitation service Monday. "That is the goodness of Moncton shining through."
The city has set up at least five other sites where people can gather to mourn due to the number of people expected to attend the funeral. Residents have also been asked to volunteer their homes as billets for travelling police officers.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov.-Gen. David Johnston are also scheduled to attend.
Gevaudan, Larche and Ross were gunned down Wednesday evening after responding to a report of a man with firearms in a residential neighbourhood in the northwest area of Moncton. Two other officers -- Constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen -- were wounded and have been released from hospital.
The shootings and the ensuing 30-hour manhunt for the alleged killer brought the city to a standstill until an arrest was made just after midnight Friday.
Schools reopened Monday and counselling services were made available to students, said Gregg Ingersoll, the superintendent for the Anglophone East School Board.
"It's going to take us a little while to get back to that sense that everything is going to be OK," Ingersoll said.
The public was also invited to express sympathies Monday at the Wesleyan Celebration Centre and books of condolence were set up at various city halls and RCMP detachments throughout New Brunswick.
Gevaudan, 45, originally of the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt, was remembered in his obituary as an advocate of women's rights who adored his wife and "Twin Flame," Angela, and stepdaughter Emma.
"While he died protecting the lives of the individuals in his community, his spirit tells us he died as he lived -- a happy man," it says.
The obituary for Larche, 40, of Saint John, N.B., says he died while working as a plainclothes officer who "without fear or hesitation ran towards danger to protect his community and family." He leaves behind his wife Nadine and three daughters and "little princesses" Alexa, Laura and Mia.
Ross's obituary says the 32-year-old dog handler died doing what he loved. He is survived by his wife Rachael and son Austin, with another child expected in the fall.
LeBlanc said the deaths of the officers are difficult to fathom.
"It's hard to accept that this is reality," he said. "It's hard to find words to describe it."
Justin Bourque, 24, of Moncton is facing three charges of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. He made a brief appearance in provincial court Friday and he is scheduled to return to court July 3.
Watch the regimental funeral for the fallen Mounties LIVE on atlantic.ctvnews.ca, CTV News GO and CTV News Channel starting at 1 p.m. AT / noon ET on Tuesday
