The bravery and dedication beyond the call of duty of 56 women and men of law enforcement were recognized in at B.C.’s 35th annual Police Honours Night this week.
Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris presented this year’s awards. Recipients from municipal departments and RCMP detachments, bearing ranks ranging from constable to inspector, received awards for their exceptional responses to various incidents and needs.
Local officers included:
*Cpl. Mitchell Fiddick and Const. Marc Julien formerly of West Shore RCMP (now in Okanagan), who kicked in doors and braved a cluttered, exhaust-filled garage – where the concentration of carbon monoxide exceeded lethal levels – to pull a large, suicidal male to safety.
*West Shore RCMP Const. Justin Floyd, for preventing a suicidal woman from jumping off a cliff.
*Victoria police Const. Andre Almeida for helping rescue residents on Johnson Street threatened by a house fire.
In all, 16 officers received the award of valour, the highest award for a police officer in B.C. These officers made a decision to place themselves at substantial personal risk to save others. Another 40 officers were feted with meritorious service honours, which recognize exemplary performance that exceeds expectations.
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris, “Policing is no ordinary career. It takes guts, stamina, bravery and quick thinking. Each and every one of these awards reflects a situation that has brought out the very best in some of the men and women who serve British Columbians every day. These awards also remind us just how well-served we are by those on the front line in times of great need.”
