A police presence outside the Church of Christ in Salmon Arm in 2019. (Image Credit: Adam Donnelly/CFJC Today File)

By Victor Kaisar

Decorations for Bravery

Governor General to present Salmon Arm sextet, Kamloopsian with bravery awards

Mar 24, 2026 | 10:06 AM

SALMON ARM, B.C. — Two residents of Salmon Arm who intervened in a 2019 church shooting that claimed the life of one person will be honoured in the nation’s capital this week.

Governor General Mary Simon will present Paul Derkach with the Star of Courage and David Parmenter with the Medal of Bravery at a Thursday (March 26) morning ceremony at Rideau Hall. Derkach is one of three recipients of the Star of Courage, the second-highest award for bravery in Canada.

The Medal of Bravery, the third-highest award for bravery in Canada, will also be conferred on four other people – James Honeyman, Linda Kendig, Shane Mattenley and Lavinia Taylor – at a later date.

The six people are being recognized for their bravery during the April 14, 2019 shooting at the Church of Christ that claimed the life of 78-year-old Gordon Parmenter. Matrix Gathergood was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his mentor, but was later found not criminally responsible.

“As parishioners ran from the scene, others stayed to help,” a release from the Governor General’s Office said. “The assailant returned, shot the elder again and injured Paul Derkach, who was shielding the victim.”

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“James Honeyman, Linda Kendig, Shane Mattenley, David Parmenter and Lavinia Taylor then disarmed and restrained the perpetrator until police arrived.”

During Thursday’s ceremony, the Governor General will also award Sgt. Makenzie Lee of Kamloops the Medal of Bravery. Lee and Laura Ronson, from North Vancouver, helped rescue a family from a mudslide near Hope on Nov. 14, 2021.

“Laura descended a treacherous slope to where the family was trapped in an overturned minivan. Sergeant Lee set up a support rope and assisted with the rescue from the hillside,” the Governor Genera’s release added. “Together, they extracted the family, including an injured and unconscious 14-year-old boy.”

A total of 31 people will be awarded during Thursday’s ceremony, while seven others will be honoured at a later date. A full list of recipients can be found here.