Award of Valour

In June 2005, an OPP officer responded to a call for a 16 yr old female in the water, at Flat Rock Quarry, in Hagersville, ON. Being familiar with the area, the officer proceeded to the water's edge, where a by-stander pointed out a woman in the water about 80 yards from shore. Seeing the woman in obvious distress, the officer quickly undressed to enter the cold water. The officer swam out to the victim, who was now face down with no signs of movement. She started to pull the unconscious victim towards the shore. As she approached the shoreline, the victim sank underwater. With some effort, the officer was able to bring her back to the surface and continued towards the shore. By this time, other officers had arrived & jumped in to assist. Because there was no place to lift the victim out of the water, our officer, although quite exhausted by this time, swam an additional 20 feet to a ledge of rock, where EMS personnel took over and lifted the victim from the water.

Although the victim was initially revived, she succumbed to her injuries two days later while in hospital.

Our nominee, with 14 yrs of service has demonstrated her concern for human life in the past when she rescued a drowning male in October 2000. For this, she received the Commissioner's Citation for Life Saving.

In this particular instance, her quick actions, her selflessness & courage under pressure has earned her the Ontario Women in Law Enforcement Award of Valour.