Salmon Arm officers among many honoured for bravery and commitment

Nov 16, 2017 | 4:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Police officers from around British Columbia, including Salmon Arm, were recognized for their bravery and dedication during tonight’s 37th Annual Police Honours Night at Government House in Victoria.

Lt.-Gov Judith Guichon and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth presented awards to 121 law enforcement officers, from municipal and RCMP detachments, for their extraordinary accomplishments in life-saving incidents and for going beyond the call of duty.

In all, 42 officers received the award of valour, the highest award for a police officer in B.C. These officers exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect others from harm. 

Among those were six officers from the Salmon Arm RCMP detachment: Cpl. Richard Gingras (now with Vernon Police Dog Service), Constables Patrick Evanishen, David Goodyear, Trevor Medernach, Adam Poitras and David Warner (now with Enderby detachment). These officers were recognized for rescuing a distraught and suicidal male armed with a knife from his burning home.

79 officers were feted with honours for meritorious services, recognizing exemplary performance that answered the call to service in exceptional ways.

Some other award winners included Vancouver officers who placed themselves at substantial risk to protect the public while pursuing a male suspect on a shooting spree and a constable from Chetwynd, who searched a deep embankment in cold temperatures and impending darkness to save a hypothermic man from near death.