CORNWALL, Ontario – The 23rd annual Police Awards took place at the Ramada Inn on Thursday, Oct. 26.
“We are here tonight not just to recognize retirees, but also former retirees,” said Cornwall Community Police Service (CCPS) Chief Dan Parkinson. “Tonight, we are saying goodbye to 141 years of collective service, and that is something that is irreplaceable.”
Retiring members of the CCPS include Wanda Carroll, Special Constable Debra Cook, Ian Poapst, Detective Sergeant Georges Levere Sr. and Special Constable Penny Lee Sabourin.
In addition to recognizing those who were retiring, and those who have retired, also recognized were those who have served for 30, 25, 15 and 10 years.
Recognition was also given to those who had showed dedication to duty over the past year, Innovation, teamwork, exemplary investigative skills and community service.
Finally, the Cornwall Police Association (CPA) announced that they would be presenting a brand new award this year. This new award was created to recognize a member of the community who went above and beyond this past year. This individual, while working at her job at the Cornwall Square, spotted an man dressed in black and carrying duffel bags. She remembered a report she saw earlier in the week about a dangerous convict who had escaped from a facility in Kingston. She checked the story on her phone and found that the man she was observing at the Square, matched the description of the escaped criminal.
She calmly observed this person from a distance and contacted the CCPS. When the police arrived a few minutes later, they questioned her and her information lead them to the suspect, who was taken in without incident.
Sarah MacMillan was recognized with the first ever Community Hero Award for her actions that day. The Community Hero Award will become a regular award that will be presented annually from now on.
“Sarah’s quick thinking and appropriate actions were key in apprehending this very dangerous individual and inspired us to create the community hero award,” said David MacLean, President of the CPA.
