Lumby Lions Club presented their Good Citizen of the Year award to Gary McLaughlin

Photo: Gary McLaughlin

Congratulations are in order for RCMP officer Gary McLaughlin, who received Lumby's Good Citizen of the Year award.

The Lumby Lions Club presented McLaughlin with the award on June 6, on behalf of the Village of Lumby.

McLaughlin is being transferred to Newfoundland which means he and his family are packing up and moving in a couple of weeks.

He found this award to be a perfect send off.

“I was like, wow, what an awesome way to say goodbye,” said McLaughlin.

McLaughlin and his family have organized events like the Emergency Services Food Drive and he and his wife also look after the Santa Claus Parade every year.

He also organized an elementary school reading program and in 2019 he was named British Columbia RCMP Member of the Year.

McLaughlin moved to Lumby seven years ago after he was transferred from Revelstoke.

He said it was an honour to win an award presented to him from his home for the last seven years.

“It’s not always easy winning the heart and minds working as a police officer when you’re in a small community, but thank goodness it worked out,” said McLaughlin.

McLaughlin was nominated for the award by members of the community.