Family, friends, police and citizens unite in grief at the funeral of Chief Superintendent Joanne Shanahan
Thousands of police officers and well-wishers lined Adelaide’s streets to pay their respects to Chief Superintendent Joanne Shanahan. Her husband Peter said her funeral was “both the saddest and proudest day of my life”.
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They stood stoically and silently to form guards of honour, moving only briefly to salute their fallen colleague.
Thousands of police, paramedics, firefighters, volunteers and citizens lined the streets as the cortege of Chief Superintendent Joanne Shanahan made its journey to the funeral home.
It was a poignant show of respect for someone who – according to Police Commissioner Grant Stevens – influenced, inspired, motivated and supported so many people.
“She was one of a kind and we are lesser for her not being with us. Jo was a dear friend. We miss her and we will remember her,” an emotional Mr Stevens told her funeral service.
WATCH A REPLAY OF THE SERVICE HERE
Chief-Supt Shanahan, 55, and Tania McNeill, 53, died in a horror crash at the intersection of Cross Rd and Fullarton Rd, Urrbrae, on April 25.
The family of Chief-Supt Shanahan on Friday remembered an inspirational wife and mother who always made everyone feel special and important.
Her husband, Peter Shanahan, who was injured in the crash, said he was privileged to share 37 years with his wife, declaring “no one can ever take that away from me and no one will”.
“How bittersweet that this is both the saddest and proudest day of my life. I don’t have to explain the sad part but I must publicly explain the proud part,” Mr Shanahan said.
Mr Shanahan described how touched his family had been by the outpouring of grief for his wife, which included lighting many city landmarks in blue.
“To have the state so spontaneously and freely honour Joanne in such a heartfelt way is extraordinary – my heart goes out to you,” he said.
Mr Shanahan also vowed to support the McNeill family, who had “endured an immense loss of their beautiful Tania”.
Chief-Supt Shanahan’s son, Nick, recalled how his mother had a knack of “stealing all of my friends” by inviting them over for tea to get the latest gossip.
“Mum became famous for this. Not only because of her sound advice but also because of her legendary tea cupboard, where she boasted a large collection from the T2 catalogue,” he said.
“I realised quickly a lot of my friends actually liked hanging around my house not necessarily to see me but rather to keep current with Mum and all the cool things she was doing.”
Harrison Kitt, 20 has been charged over the crash. He sustained serious leg injuries and remains in the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he is also receiving psychiatric treatment.
Chief-Supt Shanahan’s niece, Selena Steiner, prayed for the Kitt family.
“During this time of shock and sadness, may they be comforted as they struggle to come to terms with the consequences of this tragic event,” she said.
“May they know the love of God who comforts those who mourn.”