The memorial service for slain OPP Const. Vu Pham has ended in Wingham, Ont., one attended by thousands of police officers in dress uniforms from across Ontario, Canada and the United States.

His wife Heather -- who spoke to the crowd -- and their sons Tyler, Jordan and Joshua entered the North Huron Wescast Community Complex shortly before 1 p.m. Friday, where a crowd of 5,000 had been expected.

Eight police pallbearers took Pham's coffin inside and removed it afterwards to the sound of bagpipes. The service lasted about one hour and 45 minutes.

Heather, trembling, watched her husband's casket being loaded in the hearse at the service's conclusion. She held the folded flag that had covered her husband's casket under her right arm.

Heather told the crowd she had visions and nightmares about being at her husband's funeral. She described Pham as "brave and amazing" along with being a great dad. He often took the boys fishing and hunting.

Forgiveness would be the only way to get through the pain and anger of her loss, she said.

OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino described Pham as an "excellent officer and a very good man who deeply loved his chosen profession, accepted the risks and in the end, made the ultimate sacrifice."

Many people -- including military personnel, paramedics, firefighters and the general public -- who wanted to attend the service won't be able to, as the arena is jammed to capacity, meaning some will have to stand outside in a light rain.

The memorial service had been closed to the media, but the ceremony could by heard by those outside.

When the motorcade made its way down the main street of the southwest Ontario agricultural town, there was an eerie silence. Tears could be seen on many faces.

Pham, 37, died Monday after being shot when he pulled over a pickup truck on a rural road. He was a popular figure in the community, being involved as a hockey dad.

His suspected killer, Fred Preston, was fatally wounded by police in an ensuing shootout. The 70-year-old Preston succumbed to his injuries on Thursday evening, just over three days after Pham's death.

Police had charged Preston, a former municipal politician, with first-degree murder while he was still alive.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Fantino said that the police force will be reviewing some of its safety protocols in light of the tragedy.

"We're not perfect, but we dwell among heroes," he said.

Fantino noted that "uppermost in our mind is the safety of our people," adding that when officers are put in dangerous situations, public safety as a whole is also jeopardized.

Still, Fantino said that the actions of other police prevented the incident from becoming much more serious, adding "who knows what might have happened?"

"He's just one more hero that we have to praise and thank for his very brave actions," said Fantino of Pham.

Pham came to Canada from Vietnam as a young boy. He was taken in by Dan Thompson, a pastor from Southwestern Ontario, who later moved to the northern part of the province where Pham was raised in Thompson's family.

As he grew older, Pham became fond of hockey, camping and other Canadian hobbies.

He married, raised a family and eventually became a police officer -- and sadly the 104th OPP officer killed in the line of duty.

Pham's funeral will mark the second time in the same week that a police officer is laid to rest in Ontario.

On Tuesday, some 5,000 people attended the funeral of Peel police Const. Artem "James" Ochakovsky in Mississauga.

The 36-year-old officer died in a car crash in nearby Brampton after his cruiser collided with another vehicle and slammed into a light pole late at night on Mar. 1. He succumbed to his injuries the following evening.

Ochakovsky left behind and young son. He had joined the Peel police force only two years before his death.

With reports from CTV Toronto's Austin Delaney and John Musselman