Father-to-be and 'snow angel': Edmonton police officers killed on duty remembered

One of the police officers killed in Edmonton was about to be a father and the other was called a "snow angel" for going beyond the call of duty to help people.

Const. Brett Ryan, 30, and Const. Travis Jordan, 35, were shot and killed responding to a call Thursday morning. 

Edmonton police say the patrol officers were responding to a family dispute in an apartment complex in northwest Edmonton when they were fatally injured.

Both men are being remembered for their generosity, and their dedication to the job. 

Ryan, who had been with the Edmonton force for 5 1/2 years, is being remembered as a pillar of the community and a longtime minor hockey referee.

Darcy Carter, with the Spruce Grove Minor Hockey Association, said Ryan and his wife are expecting a child.

"I was alongside him growing up as he grew as an official and grew into a person and a husband," Carter said.

Ryan, who lived in Spruce Grove just west of Edmonton, was always willing to give back, helping younger hockey officials develop their skills, Carter said. The officer was also active in the slow pitch community.

Ryan was a paramedic before he became a police officer, Carter said, adding the officer was passionate about his work and his duty to serve the community.

"That's something that I'll never forget, just his face lighting up when he talked about his job," Carter said.

Jordan had been with the Edmonton force for 8 1/2 years.

Jessica Shmigelsky remembered the officer as being calm and kind when she really needed to see the goodness in people. She said Jordan's family gave her permission to speak about the experience.

Shmigelsky's day was going terribly when she met Jordan in 2020. There had been a heavy spring snowfall, her snow brush was broken and she was having a difficult day at work.

Jordan pulled her over, she said, but instead of giving her a ticket he pulled out his own snow brush and proceeded to clean off her car.