On Wednesday, May 29, 2024, police officers, including the North District RCMP Commander Chief Superintendent Brian Edmonds, gathered to recognize and present awards, service medals and commendations to deserving peace officers, civilian member employees and public service employees. In total, 19 people received recognition for their service to the North District RCMP.
Here are some highlights of the awards that were issued:
There were five award recipients for meritorious service to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their country, having served for 20, 25 and 35 years.
Corporal Madonna Saunderson, District Advisory Media Relations Officer for North District RCMP, was awarded the 35-year Gold Clasp and Certificate as well as a Commanding Officer’s Citation. The Long Service Medal and Clasp are not awarded in recognition of a single act or one specific incident but are awarded in recognition of all those occasions where the recipients had to display courage, daring, bravery, tenacity, patience and good judgement. Cpl. Saunderson was awarded the Commanding Officer’s Citation for professionalism exercised by the members of B.C. RCMP’s Communications Team during the search for the suspects of a triple homicide in northern B.C. in July 2019.
The Commanding Officer’s Citation was each awarded to Sergeant Kyle Ushock, Corporal. J.R. Gohn and Commissionaire Shawn Standbridge, for their actions during the shooting that occurred in Vanderhoof, B.C. on November 25, 2021, when a lone gunman commenced shooting into the Vanderhoof RCMP Detachment. During the incident, police officers and civilian employees were forced to take cover and attempt to monitor the gunman’s movements. Those who receive the Commanding Officer’s Citation are being recognized for actions that are innovative, unique and outside what would be expected from an experienced person performing the same task.
Cst. Hayden Fehling and Public Service Employees James Dyck and Kathy Morin were awarded the Commanding Officer’s Certificate of Appreciation for their actions both during and in the months following the same event.
Constable James Dela Torre with the Prince George RCMP’s Street Crew Unit was awarded the Commanding Officer’s Commendation and Insignia for Outstanding Service for his actions in rescuing an individual from a submerged grader that was in approximately 12 feet of water. Constable Dela Torre’s actions and dedication to duty bring credit to himself and are in keeping with the traditions of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
“I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to all of the deserving awards recipients for their outstanding contributions and achievements. The dedication, bravery and selflessness that are exemplified in these awards is a testament to the hard work and success of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in B.C,
states Chief Superintendent Brian Edmonds, Commanding Officer for the North District RCMP.