Anthony Woods funeral Perth Optus Stadium: Police officer mourned after vehicle stop death

Hundreds of police officers and dignitaries from all departments of the emergency services have gathered at Optus Stadium in Perth for the funeral of Constable Anthony Woods.

The 28-year-old died in hospital on June 11, four days after he was reportedly hit and dragged by a car during an early morning car stop in Ascot, a Perth suburb.

Mourners braved a chilly, overcast morning in Perth as they waited to be admitted into the private service on Thursday, the facade of Optus Stadium illuminated with blue lights.

While the forecast predicted a high chance of rain, it graciously held up as uniformed officers, some in their full dress uniforms, entered the stadium.

Police on motorbikes lead the sombre event at Perth’s Optus Stadium

Constable Woods (pictured, with his wife Emily) died in hospital on June 11, four days after he was reportedly hit and dragged by a car during an early morning vehicle stop

Several dozen members of the public gathered outside Optus Stadium in gloomy weather to watch a livestream of Constable Woods’ funeral (pictured)

Some of the officers present had even come from NSW (pictured, the box on duty)

Some of the officers in attendance had even come from NSW, with the Queensland Police Department paying tribute to the fallen officer on social media.

“Today we think of our (WA Police) colleagues as they say goodbye to Constable Woods. With honor he served,” it posted on Twitter on Thursday morning.

Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the young man ahead of the service.

Representatives from the Australian Defense Force and St John Ambulance also entered as invited guests, accompanied by family and friends of the late Constable Woods.

Outside, members of the public gathered to watch the service in the BHP Amphitheatre, which has a large screen normally used for broadcasting whatever sporting event is currently taking place in the venue.

Those in attendance included WA Governor and former Police Commissioner, Chris Dawson, Police Commissioner Col Blanch, Prime Minister Roger Cook and his Police Minister Paul Papalia, and Federal Opposition Leader and former Queensland Police Officer, Peter Dutton.

The funeral comes just a day after the man allegedly responsible for bringing down Constable Woods, Reagan Chown, stood before Perth’s Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court.

The 23-year-old appeared on murder charges, upgraded following the death of Constable Woods.

Mr Chown’s has been adjourned until August 30, when he will appear for all charges related to the alleged incident.

According to police, Mr Chown was behind the wheel of a car with stolen number plates when it was apprehended by Constable Woods and his partner at around 1am on 8 June.

Officers filled duty (pictured) on Thursday as Queensland Police paid tribute to the fallen officer on social media

Commendations were given by Constable Woods’ brother Nathan, mother Natalie, childhood friends, colleagues at Belmont Police Station and his wife Emily

Constable Woods (pictured) is the 88th WA police officer to be killed in the line of duty

Federal opposition leader and former Queensland police officer Peter Dutton (pictured) attended the ceremony

While the officers tried to arrest three people in the vehicle, Mr. Chown backing over Constable Woods and dragging him some distance, sustaining catastrophic injuries.

Other officers arrived and they had to lift and resuscitate Constable Woods’ vehicle until paramedics arrived.

Mr Chown is the first person to be charged with the alleged murder of a WA police officer while on duty in 16 years since Constable Damien Murphy was hit by an unlicensed driver in 2007.

His killer was later jailed on a charge of manslaughter.

Constable Woods is the 88th WA police officer to be killed in the line of duty.