Police officers from the B.C. Interior were among 241 men and women who were honoured this week for bravery and service.

The 40th annual Police Honours night were held April 23 and 24 in Victoria, where awards for valour and meritorious service were issued for 2023 and 2024.

In all, 152 officers received the award of valour, the highest award for a police officer in B.C. It is granted to police officers who purposely acted for the benefit of others, while knowingly placing themselves at substantial risk of death or serious injury.

Eighty-nine officers were given with honours for meritorious service, recognizing exemplary performance that answered the call to service in exceptional ways. It is awarded to police officers who clearly demonstrated that they acted in a manner significantly beyond the call of duty.

“Every day, these dedicated individuals courageously uphold public safety, sometimes putting their lives at risk so the rest of us can live in peace. I’m honoured to have had the privilege to recognize these brave officers serving in police departments in B.C. On behalf of all British Columbians, thank you for your service,” said Garry Begg, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, in a news release.

Here is a list of awards issued to officers in the B.C. Southern Interior:

AWARDS OF VALOUR:

Kelowna RCMP Detachment

• Const. Chris Carruthers – for putting themselves in harm’s way, while protecting the public and preventing further violence from a suspect.

Kamloops RCMP Detachment

• Const. Taylor Callens – for their bravery when rescuing a woman during a suicide attempt.
• Const. Matt James – for their exceptional courage and resilience in the face of grave danger.
• Const. Michael Scherpenisse – for their bravery and de-escalation efforts during a potential hostage situation and apprehending an armed robber.
• Constables Dylan Colbourne, Ryan Long and Howard Morine – for their outstanding bravery as they put themselves in harm’s way in pursuit of an armed suspect.

Keremeos RCMP Detachment

• Const. Zachary Plensky – for their incredible strength and resilience when they restrained and transported a suspect by himself, in a remote area without radio contact, while injured from the offender.

Merritt RCMP Detachment

• Constables Derek Bodner, Jerry Davey, Carly Gerein, John Julyan and Nick Maciejewski; and Sgt. Brock Hedrick – for putting their safety on the line as they pursued a property theft suspect who continuously shot at them with an automatic rifle as they fled with their young child in the vehicle.

Salmon Arm RCMP Detachment

• Sgt. Joseph Morrisey – for their bravery and quick action when assisting in the arrest of a violent suspect.

Sicamous RCMP Detachment

• Reserve Const. Patrick Pyper – for risking their own safety to rescue a woman who fell through the ice on a lake at night.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Detachment

• Const. Jamie Kress – for their quick efforts when responding to a call involving a suicidal female.

Trail RCMP Detachment

• Constables Eva Harding and Jason Zilkie – for risking their lives, while responding to a suicidal and mentally ill male behaving erratically and attempting to enter the BC Ambulance station when he produced a firearm.

Barriere RCMP Detachment

• Const. Jeremy Galvin – for their courageous efforts when responding to an armed individual on the side of a highway, quickly stopping the threat.

Chase RCMP Detachment

• Const. Mario Jakic – for their quick actions, preventing a woman from falling to her death, while placing themselves in harm’s way.

Golden RCMP Detachment

• Cpl. Lucas Sovio – for their bravery and de-escalation tactics, while responding to a suicidal individual that shot at innocent people inside their home.

AWARDS OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE:

Kamloops RCMP Detachment

• Const. Jean-Francois LaPierre – for their life-saving efforts while responding to a wounded individual.
• Sgt. Joseph Morrissey – for their selfless and courageous actions in a situation of extremely high risk, in order to protect the public and other police officers.

Penticton RCMP Detachment

• Const. Derek Ballarin – for their efforts in saving a drowning toddler in a lake, while off duty.

Vernon RCMP Detachment

• Const. Hayley Derzak and Cpl. Darcy Reeves – placed their own lives at risk when responding to a call involving a 17-year-old male threatening to commit suicide.

Sicamous RCMP Detachment

• Sgt. Murray McNeil – for risking their own safety to rescue a woman who fell through the ice on a lake at night.

Southeast District Emergency Response Team

• Const. Michael Dibblee – for their selfless and courageous actions in a situation of extremely high risk, to protect the public and other police officers.

Creston RCMP Detachment

• Sgt. John Edinger and Staff Sgt. Brandon Buliziuk – for their efforts in rescuing a newborn infant with life-threatening conditions.

Midway RCMP Detachment

• Sgt. Phil Peters – for their courageous efforts in locating a wet, hypothermic individual who was trapped in a ravine by making a fire to keep them warm and alert until search-and-rescue personnel arrived.

A full list of awards is here.