On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, awards were presented to the following honourees who were selected by a committee of representatives from the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s Police Services Division:

AWARDS OF VALOUR:

Abbotsford Police Department

Const. Janelle Smith – for saving a drowning man, while off duty by diving into a lake, recovering him from underwater and performing lifesaving CPR.

Const. Marie-Michelle Page – for restraining an armed suspect who attacked with bear spray and attempted to disarm them during a daylight confrontation in a public area.

Const. Phillip Sawatsky – for rescuing a suicidal youth from drowning by entering a lake at night in full uniform and pulling them to safety.

Central Saanich Police Department

Const. Anil Apa – for jeopardizing their life during a critical incident involving a hostage taking at the Bank of Montreal in Saanich, which resulted in a police-involved shooting.

Port Moody Police Department

Constables Melissa Cooke, Jin Kim (now with the Vancouver Police Department) – for responding to a suicidal male swimming in a Metro Vancouver Park by entering the lake, pulling him to shore and performing CPR. 

Saanich Police Department

Constables Nawid Akbar, Travis Allnutt, Kristen Andrew, Dion Birtwistle, Dave Divers, Aaron Grewal, Ben Lanthier, Ken Mead (now with the Westshore RCMP), Ryan Miller, Damian Pellew, Steven Reichert, Karen Robinson, Steve Robinson, Martin Roznowski, Tanner Stevenson and Ashley Volk; Deputy Chief Const. Darrell Underwood; Insp. Jason Bland, Sgt. Cordell Phillips (now retired) and Sgt. Jason Whittaker – for jeopardizing their lives during a critical incident involving a hostage taking at the Bank of Montreal in Saanich, which resulted in a police-involved shooting.

Vancouver Police Department

Acting sergeants Greg Parkes Jordan Crondahl; constables Daniel Anzulovich, Jason Barham, Chris Bowater, Steve Herejk, Adam Hohmann, Matthew Nielsen and Kelsey Woods – for responding to an active shooter in a heavily populated residential area, placing their lives at risk to evacuate civilians and neutralize the threat.

Constables Blake Chersinoff and Scott MacDonald – for rescuing a two-year-old child from a violent suspect, while facing a life-threatening knife attack. 

Victoria Police Department

Constables Scott Buckler, Michael Cornforth, Jennifer Gilroy, Kale Howe, Mackenzie Humphries, Morgan Humphries (now with Nelson RCMP), Chris Miller, Michael Jarosz, Casey Jones, Shaun Juby, Brent Keddell, Ben King, Eric LeQuesne, Colby MacIntyre, Victoria McGroarty, Kyle Roy, Cameron Stephen, Michael Wishlaw, and Robert Woods; Sergeants Ron Kirkwood, Scot Hourston, Sgt. Steven Kowan (now retired), Sgt. Boris Sark; staff sergeants Mike Johnston, John Musicco – for jeopardizing their lives during a critical incident involving a hostage taking at the Bank of Montreal in Saanich, which resulted in a police-involved shooting.

Const. Rhys Garnett – for risking his life by removing an unconscious driver from a vehicle engulfed in flames, preventing further injury or death.

Const. Amrit Gill, Const. Steven Twardy (now with the Oak Bay Police Department), sergeants Scot Hourston and Sheldon McLean – for going above and beyond the duties expected of a police officer by safely removing all civilians from a hotel fire.

Westshore RCMP

Cpl. Dave Lewis – for jeopardizing their life during a critical incident involving a hostage taking at the Bank of Montreal in Saanich, which resulted in a police-involved shooting.

AWARDS OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE:

Abbotsford Police Department

Det. Dave Morton – for leading a major investigation into a conspiracy to commit murder, resulting in the arrest of three individuals involved in organized gang activity.

Staff Sgt. Troy Kneebone – for leading and actively participating in the safe apprehension of armed suspects during a high-risk home invasion.

Port Moody Police Department

Constables Brian Wong, Craig Anderson and Jesse Tome – for responding to a suicidal male swimming in a Metro Vancouver Park by entering the lake, pulling him to shore and performing CPR. 

Saanich Police Department

Constables Naomi Koopmans, Ryan Verot, Ashley Williams and Kris Yeo; Insp. Drew Robertson, Sgt. Michael Bainbridge, Staff Sgt. Mike Millard and Staff Sgt. Tracey Walt – for jeopardizing their lives during a critical incident involving a hostage taking at the Bank of Montreal in Saanich, which resulted in a police involved shooting.

Vancouver Police Department

Const. Jesse Schellenberg – responded to an active shooter in a heavily populated residential area, placing their life at risk to evacuate civilians and neutralize the threat; and neutralized an armed suspect who attempted to shoot his police dog and then aimed a revolver at him during a high-risk takedown. 

Sgt. Keith Howson-Jones – responded to an active shooter in a heavily populated residential area, placing their life at risk to evacuate civilians and neutralize the threat.

Victoria Police Department

Constables Sonny Govus, Eric LeQuesne, Ralph Weber; Dept. Chief Const. James McRae; Sgt. Greg Holmes (now retired) – for going above and beyond the duties expected of a police officer by safely removing all civilians from a hotel fire.

Const. Lane Douglas-Hunt (now an officer with the BC RCMP) – for displaying selfless actions in her vision, motivation and actions in identifying and addressing gaps in officer wellness support and officer resiliency.

Constables Stacey Fuller, Tom Hayward, Lane Douglas-Hunt (now with the B.C. RCMP), Kevin Lastiwka, Adam Meakes, Chris Van Swieten, Tristan Williams; Insp. Mike Brown, sergeants Craig Barker and Simon De Wit – for jeopardizing their lives during a critical incident involving a hostage taking at the Bank of Montreal in Saanich, which resulted in a police-involved shooting.

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, awards were presented to the following honourees who were selected by a committee of representatives from the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s Police Services Division:

AWARDS OF VALOUR:

Barriere RCMP Detachment

Const. Jeremy Galvin – for their courageous efforts when responding to an armed individual on the side of a highway, quickly stopping the threat.

Bella Bella RCMP Detachment

Cpl. Chad Fitzpatrick – for their exceptional bravery and selflessness in the face of a devastating residential fire.

Chase RCMP Detachment

Const. Mario Jakic – for their quick actions, preventing a woman from falling to her death, while placing themselves in harm’s way.

Dawson Creek RCMP Detachment

Const. Lukas Bielicz and Insp. Damon Werrell (now retired) – for their exceptional courage and swift response to a bear attack.

Golden RCMP Detachment

Cpl. Lucas Sovio – for their bravery and de-escalation tactics, while responding to a suicidal individual that shot at innocent people inside their home.

Kamloops RCMP Detachment

Const. Taylor Callens – for their bravery when rescuing a woman during a suicide attempt.

Const. Matt James – for their exceptional courage and resilience in the face of grave danger.

Const. Michael Scherpenisse – for their bravery and de-escalation efforts during a potential hostage situation and apprehending an armed robber.

Constables Dylan Colbourne, Ryan Long and Howard Morine – for their outstanding bravery as they put themselves in harm’s way in pursuit of an armed suspect.

Kelowna RCMP Detachment

Const. Chris Carruthers – for putting themselves in harm’s way, while protecting the public and preventing further violence from a suspect.

Keremeos RCMP Detachment

Const. Zachary Plensky – for their incredible strength and resilience when they restrained and transported a suspect by himself, in a remote area without radio contact, while injured from the offender.

Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team

Constables Shawn Jones, Guillaume Lecours, Darryl Newman, Antony Scarpelli; and corporals Darren Bleker, Stephen Bodden, Joshua Cropley, Luke Johnston, Armand Pinnegar and Ian Sneddon – for their actions, while putting their lives at substantial risk during a dangerous situation and preventing further danger to the community.

Staff Sgt. Dave Malone – for their efforts in stopping an active shooter from continuing to take the lives of innocent bystanders in the community.

Merritt RCMP Detachment

Constables Derek Bodner, Jerry Davey, Carly Gerein, John Julyan and Nick Maciejewski; and Sgt. Brock Hedrick – for putting their safety on the line as they pursued a property theft suspect who continuously shot at them with an automatic rifle as they fled with their young child in the vehicle. 

Mission RCMP Detachment

Const. Sukhdip Sidhu – for their bravery when rescuing a resident from a burning building.

Powell River RCMP Detachment

Const. Matthew Horsfield – for risking their safety and swimming 200 metres into a body of water to rescue a suicidal female.

RCMP “E” Division, Explosive Disposal Unit

Const. Tyler Folz, Cpl. Ryan Ziebart, Sgt. Peter Cucheran and Staff Sgt. Brent Elwood – for their bravery, while responding to a critical incident involving a significant explosive devices threat.

RCMP Integrated Homicide Investigation Team

Constables Ahmed Durrani, Hardip Gill, Jasmail Takhar; and Cpl. Harinder Sandhu – for their remarkable foresight, bravery and overwhelming sense of duty, while apprehending a violent individual after a shooting.

Salmon Arm RCMP Detachment

Sgt. Joseph Morrisey – for their bravery and quick action when assisting in the arrest of a violent suspect.

Sicamous RCMP Detachment

Reserve Const. Patrick Pyper – for risking their own safety to rescue a woman who fell through the ice on a lake at night.

Smithers RCMP Detachment

Const. Ashley van Leeuwen – for demonstrating exceptional bravery and composure when confronting and restraining an armed and combative suicidal male, ensuring the safety of his family and co-ordinating a safe arrest.

Southeast District Emergency Response Team

Const. Michael Dibblee – for putting themselves at substantial risk during the planned arrest of a violent prolific offender that had previously carried and used weapons in the commission of offences.

Constables Paul Cooke and Lee Taylor; corporals Dave Lewis, Stephen Prior and Matthew Rattee; and Sgt. Joseph Morrisey – for their bravery when responding and apprehending two violent suspects participating in a crime spree that threatened the lives of the public.

Squamish RCMP Detachment

Const. Hamza Khan – for their efforts in saving a victim trapped in their car after a life-threatening car collision.

Const. Mark McMahon – for their efforts during a high-risk arrest of multiple suspects involved in a brazen daytime shooting.

Sunshine Coast RCMP Detachment

Const. Joshua Jewett – for placing their own life at risk, while responding to a call of a male making threats outside a local housing facility.

Surrey RCMP Detachment

Const. Shannon Walker – for their exceptional courage and bravery in preventing further harm to the public, while arresting an armed subject.

Trail RCMP Detachment

Constables Evan Harding and Jason Zilkie – for risking their lives, while responding to a suicidal and mentally ill male behaving erratically and attempting to enter the BC Ambulance station when he produced a firearm.

Vanderhoof RCMP Detachment

Const. Chris Brown (now retired), Const. Mackenzie Sheridan (now retired), Cpl. J.R. (Edward) Gohn, sergeants Amy Floyd and Kyle Ushock – for their bravery and courage in the face of very dangerous circumstances with an active shooter.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Detachment

Const. Jamie Kress – for their quick efforts when responding to a call involving a suicidal female.

AWARDS OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE:

BC Highway Patrol – Parksville

Sgt. Robert Haney – for their selfless and courageous actions in a situation of extremely high risk, in order to protect the public and other police officers.

Central Highway Patrol

Const. Amber Brunner – for their selfless and courageous actions in a situation of extremely high risk, in order to protect the public and other police officers.

Creston RCMP Detachment

Sgt. John Edinger and Staff Sgt. Brandon Buliziuk – for their efforts in rescuing a newborn infant with life-threatening conditions.

Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit B.C.

Const. Lawrence Berceanu and Staff Sgt. Rob Angco – for their dedication during a complex, multi-jurisdictional and multi-national file involving the murder of a United Nations gang member in Phuket, Thailand, that led to the arrest and successful extradition of one of the three suspects. 

Dawson Creek RCMP Detachment

Cpl. Daniel Cloutier – with their police service dog, for their life-saving efforts in locating an offender.

Golden RCMP Detachment

Const. Brandon Churchill and Const. Katherin Robinson (now retired) – for their bravery, empathy and teamwork in responding to a suicidal female.

Constables Robyn Diddams and Christopher Kotrba – for their bravery and de-escalation tactics when responding to a suicidal individual that shot at innocent people inside their home.

Kamloops RCMP Detachment

Const. Jean-Francois LaPierre – for their life-saving efforts while responding to a wounded individual.

Sgt. Joseph Morrissey – for their selfless and courageous actions in a situation of extremely high risk, in order to protect the public and other police officers.

Midway RCMP Detachment

Sgt. Phil Peters – for their courageous efforts in locating a wet, hypothermic individual who was trapped in a ravine by making a fire to keep them warm and alert until search-and-rescue personnel arrived.

Mission RCMP Detachment

Constables Rose Foik and Daylon Robinson – for going above and beyond when responding to a dirt bike accident in rural Mission.

Penticton RCMP Detachment

Const. Derek Ballarin – for their efforts in saving a drowning toddler in a lake, while off duty.

Powell River RCMP Detachment

Const. Anthony Stewart – for their dedication and hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic, mentoring other detachment members and ranking No. 2 as a drug-recognition expert (DRE), conducting 50 DRE evaluations, which is 11 times the national average.

RCMP “E” Division Underwater Recovery Team

Const. Marc Leblanc – for their dedication and leadership during an underwater recovery mission, setting a new benchmark for future Underwater Recovery Team operations.

RCMP Federal and Serious Organized Crime Division

Sgt. Nicholas De Winter – for their dedication during a complex, multi-jurisdictional and multi-national file involving the murder of a United Nations gang member in Phuket, Thailand, that led to the arrest and successful extradition of one of the three suspects. 

RCMP Integrated Homicide Investigation Team

Inspectors Adam Gander and Matthew Turner; Sgt. Robert Kee, Sgt. Major Heather Lew and Sgt. Mike Lim – for their unwavering dedication and commitment during the murder investigation of a 13-year-old girl that resulted in a conviction of first-degree murder.

Reserve Const. Thomas Kurucz and Staff Sgt. Dave Derusha – for their integral efforts in solving an eight-year-old cold case.

RCMP Pacific Region Federal Policing Program

Corp. Janelle Canning-Lue – for their dedication during a complex, multi-jurisdictional and multi-national file involving the murder of a United Nations gang member in Phuket, Thailand, that led to the arrest and successful extradition of one of the three suspects. 

Vancouver Police Department

Det. Troy Timbury – for their dedication during a complex, multi-jurisdictional and multi-national file involving the murder of a United Nations gang member in Phuket, Thailand, that led to the arrest and successful extradition of one of the three suspects. 

Vernon RCMP Detachment

Const. Hayley Derzak and Cpl. Darcy Reeves – placed their own lives at risk when responding to a call involving a 17-year-old male threatening to commit suicide.

Sicamous RCMP Detachment

Sgt. Murray McNeil – for risking their own safety to rescue a woman who fell through the ice on a lake at night.

Southeast District Emergency Response Team

Const. Michael Dibblee – for their selfless and courageous actions in a situation of extremely high risk, to protect the public and other police officers.

Surrey RCMP Detachment

Staff Sgt. Mike Spencer – for their significant contribution and leadership in preparation and execution of an operational plan for the Vaisakhi parade in Surrey.

Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment

Const. Henry Smith – for putting their safety at risk when jumping into freezing water to save a suicidal person.

Cpl. Chris Gosselin (now retired) – for building strong relationships, trust and respect with 15 Indigenous communities within their detachment area. 

Williams Lake BC Highway Patrol

Const. Kevin Wiebe – for their heroic work when saving a trapped driver in a single motor vehicle incident where the car was on fire.