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RCMP officers honoured during presentation ceremony
Almost 50 Southeast District RCMP officers received Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals, Long Service Awards and District Commander Certificates of Appreciation Monday, November 19 during a ceremony at St. Eugene Resort.
The Awards were presented by Chief Superintendent Mike Sekela, Southeast District Commander.
Along with RCMP officers and an Auxiliary Constable, several civilian employees from the Southeast District area were also presented with honours. The Southeast District consists of 28 detachments and 20 sub-detachments in the Kootenays, Boundary and Columbia-Shuswap area.
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Receiving Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medials: Cm. Eric Ausman; Cst. Chuck Brind’Amour; Cst. Wally Bursey; PSE Lena Guignion; PSE Chris Harland; Sgt. Rob Hawton; Cst. Jeremy Knight; Cst. Andy Reutgen; S/Sgt. Marko Shehovac and Cpl. Grant Simpson (Columbia Valley Detachment); Cst. Eldene Stanley (Cranbrook); Cpl, Phil Sullivan; Cst. Jason Tait; Cpl. Monty Taylor; Cpl. Jeffrey Watson; Aux. Cst. Patrick Wiltsie and Cst. Jason Zilkie.
Receiving 20-year Long Service Medals: Sgt. Troy Durand; Cpl. Rodney Hrehirchuk; Cpl. Charlotte Joa; Sgt. Laurel Mathew; Insp. Nick Romanchuk (QDJM) and Cpl. Betty Watson. QDJM indicates they are also recipients of Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals, as well.
Receiving 25-year Bronze Claps: S/Sgt. Lorne Craig (Elk Valley Detachment); Sgt. Derrick Donovan; Cst. Don Erichsen; Cpl. Pat Prefontaine (Cranbrook) and Cst. David Smith.
Receiving 30-year Silver Clasps: Cpl. Kim Bloy; Insp. Brian Edmondston (Cranbrook/retired QDJM); S/Sgt. Bob Gollan (QDJM); Cpl. Rob Haney; Cst. Irvin Miller; S/Sgt. Don Smawley and Sgt. Gerry Smith (Kimberley retired).
Receiving 35-year Gold Clasps: Cpl. Chris Faulkner (retired); Sgt. Darryl Little (QDJM) and S/Sgt. Dan Seibel (QDJM).
District Commander Certificate of Appreciation: Cst. Dave Barnhart; Cst. Chuck Brind’Amour; Paddy Flanagan; Cst. David Hallmark; Sgt. Darryl Little; Cst. Colleen Lowing; Cst. Tim MacDonald; Cst. Jeff Roberts; S/Sgt. Dan Seibel; Bob Stair; Cpl. Michael Stefani, Cst. Brendon Vaillant and Sgt. Laurie Jalbert (Cranbrook/Kimberley).
Sgt. Jalbert was given special recognition by emcee S/Sgt. Gord Stewart for running two detachments (Cranbrook and Kimberley), following the retirement of Sgt. Gerry Smith as NCO of the Kimberley Detachment and Insp. Brian Edmondston in Cranbrook.
“Today’s recipients are here for their outstanding service to the force and their community,” stated Chief Superintendent Sekela. “In addition to the risks there is great personal sacrifice,” he said, noting the recent on-duty death of Const. Adrian Oliver of the Surrey Detachment, who was killed in a motor vehicle accident Nov. 13.
“Our thoughts remain with Cst. Oliver’s family,” Sekela said.
Families also play a role take a hit for safety and security in B.C. communities, he noted, nodding to the family and friends gathered in the hall.
“Each of you have played a large role in these successes,” he said, adding officers sacrifice much family time as their jobs are “24/7. These sacrifices are made to provide safe and secure communities. You work long hours in challenging conditions, often without support from those you have sworn to protect. I thank each of you,” Sekela concluded.
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
