Two local police officers and a firefighter from Midwestern Ontario have been honoured for acts of courage and bravery.
The province has honoured 21 police officers and 13 firefighters with the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery and the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery. The medals are the province's highest honours and are "given to police officers and firefighters who have demonstrated great courage in risking their lives to save the lives of others," according to a provincial release.
Among the honourees are Hanover Police Service Constables Regan Bill and Devin Perdue, as well as Blue Mountains Fire Chief Stephen Conn.
“I have spent much time thinking about the constant risks and dangers that first responders face. Our province has benefitted greatly from their service, and today, we recognize the remarkable bravery of 34 police officers and firefighters from across Ontario,” said the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. “In accepting these medals, I hope that these brave men and women will re-commit themselves to serving the public with integrity, knowing that their accomplishments will help motivate a new generation of Ontarians to join their ranks – looking to follow their example.”
“Ontario is fortunate to be home to the best police officers and firefighters in the country,” added Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “When confronted with the perils these men and women faced, most of us would have hesitated – they didn’t. They ran toward danger. And for that we honour them with the province’s highest award for bravery – their work is an inspiration to us all. On behalf of a grateful province, we thank them for their dedication to their communities and their extraordinary courage.”
