Award: Extra Mile
Service:  Belleville Police Service
Year: 2023

Kyle goes above and beyond to support his community and is committed to tackling human and sex trafficking in his community, including regularly conducting safety checks in local hotels. He understands the role that a police officer can play when assisting individuals with mental health issues and works to ensure their safety in times of crisis and that they receive the help they require.

Award: Police Hero Honour Roll
Service:  Kingston Police
Year: 2023

A victim of Richard Joyce, a serial kidnapper accused of sexual assault and murder in the 1990s, met Sergeant Melanie Jefferies in 2011 when they reported their experience. For 20 years, the victim was committed to keeping her kidnapping a secret, convinced that no one would believe her, however her disclosure to Sergeant Melanie Jefferies rerouted her life and recovery and she now puts her pain to purpose, speaking publicly to empower others.   

In 2022, the victim got word that Joyce was seeking escorted passes out of prison. The victim was concerned and reached out to Sergeant Jefferies, who was incredibly supportive and listened attentively to their concerns. She went beyond her role by personally calling them to provide advice and support. Sergeant Jefferies even offered to attend the parole board hearing, eleven years after she worked diligently to achieve a conviction.

Award: On-Duty Difference Maker (Uniform)
Service:  Police service in Ontario
Year: 2023

This hero’s quick thinking on the job protected community members from harm. While they show their courage every day, this hero says it isn’t an act of going above and beyond, but a regular part of serving.

Award:  On-Duty Difference Maker (Civilian)
Service:  Sudbury Police
Year: 2023

Glen has always been calm, professional and compassionate while dispatching on air. While always mindful of officer safety, he is still able to convey his great sense of humour and his colleagues feel that his presence makes shifts more enjoyable. Glen is also a great supporter of Movember, by raising funds for prostate cancer.

Award:  Community Role Model
Service:  Hamilton Police Service
Year: 2023

James Durka has been a police officer with the Hamilton Police Service for 20 years. He is a role model in this community both on and off duty. Six years ago, James’ wife, Jessica, was diagnosed with cancer. He took care of his wife until recovery while continuing to perform his duty as a detective for the Hamilton Police Service.

When Jessica’s cancer was in remission, the couple decided to pay it forward by growing pumpkins at her family farm in Waterford and selling them at a roadside market they titled the Juravinski Cancer Centre Pumpkin Patch. For the last five years, James has spent countless hours on this project and recruits fellow police officers on their days off to assist with the annual pumpkin picking. Together James and Jessica have raised $245,000 for the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton.

Award: On-Duty Difference Maker – Uniform/Sworn Police Officer 
Service: Ontario Provincial Police 
Year: 2022

Graham is described as compassionate, kind and as one of the good guys by his many nominators. Graham was chosen as the winner because of the assistance he provided a woman with an active addiction and PTSD. She didn’t have much faith in the policing system, but according to her, he changed that. She says that if not for him, she wouldn’t have a one-year sobriety key tag. This woman was a survivor of human trafficking and an addict who had crashed her vehicle into a tree. Graham treated her with respect and dignity, even though she had to be charged with careless driving and had a carload of drug paraphernalia. He connected her with Victim Services and with resources he thought could help her. The way that Graham treated her changed her life. He continues to check in with her. Not only is she doing well, but she is using her experience to help other victims move forward. Graham is a prime example of being a uniformed difference maker.  

Award: On-Duty Difference Maker – Civilian Police Service Employee 
Service: Thunder Bay Police Service
Year: 2022 

Megan is a Communications Supervisor for Thunder Bay Police Service. She is also someone so deserving of any recognition; especially one at this level. She is known for going above and beyond for her team, officers and the public. Megan was nominated for and won for a call that she and her team handled in which a young teenage girl was in town for school. The teen had dialled 911 and had absolutely no idea where she was, or how long she had been outside in -20 degree winter weather.  

It was not known at the time that the girl had suffered from epilepsy and she had just come-to out of a seizure. She was extremely disoriented.   

Award: Community Role Model 
Service: Hamilton Police Service
Year: 2022

After Brad's wife Shannon was diagnosed with plasma cell leukaemia, the family not only raised awareness for stem cell and blood donations, but they also raised $50,000 for the Juravinski hospital in Hamilton. Brad rode over 200 km on horseback through the Norfolk and Haldimand Counties in the Ride for the Registry, with incredible support from the community. Sadly, Shannon lost her battle to the horrible disease. Brad and his young daughters know that she would be proud of the work they have done and they people they have helped through stem cell donations.  

Award: Community Role Model 
Service: Ontario Provincial Police
Year: 2021 

Ontario Provincial Police Constable Jennifer Landry, of the Temiskaming Detachment, was an Indigenous woman and a member of the Matachewan First Nation. As a former constable of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS), she was involved extensively in the communities she policed as an officer and citizen. She treated everyone she encountered with respect and dignity including those that she arrested. She was an advocate for violence against women, children and other marginalized and vulnerable citizens. Please note that on October 14, 2020, Cst. Jennifer Landry died tragically while off-duty, leaving behind her 8-year old daughter and her family.

Award: Community Role Model 
Service: Peel Regional Police  
Year: 2021  

On Saturday, February 20, 2021, a four-year-old boy was out sledding with his siblings and Dad when an off-leash dog attacked him and dragged him by his face. Cst. William Hall, who was at the park with his own children while off-duty, put himself in harms way to save the boy by jumping on the dog. The young boy was rushed by ambulance to the hospital; but first, he was attended to by Cst. Hall who checked him over and even held a hat on his face placing pressure on the wound. 

Award: On-Duty Difference Maker – Civilian Police Service Employee 
Service: Peel Regional Police 
Year: 2021 

Erin Morrison has been a dispatcher with Peel Regional Police Service for 18 years, and brings a wealth of experience, professionalism and dedication to her role. She is extremely proud of the work she does, and she strives every day to ensure her competence as part of the Police and Emergency services system. Erin’s ability to think on her feet and make important decisions quickly and wisely makes her a leader amongst her peers. She goes above and beyond to create gifts and small reminders of appreciation for her teammates. Often on her own dime - and always on her own time - Erin has made countless Self Care Kits to distribute. She has organized events to raise money for mental health. 

Award: On-Duty Difference Maker – Uniform/Sworn Police Officer 
Service: Ontario Provincial Police 
Year: 2021 

On March 10, 2020, Sgt. Steven Large with the Ontario Provincial Police utilized quick thinking to rescue a fisherman who had fallen through the ice into the St. Lawrence River off Landon Bay while ice fishing. Sgt. Large risked his own life by undertaking a precarious water rescue using an available canoe on shore and sliding it across the ice to the fisherman in distress. Officer Large wasn't worried about his safety, rather, just saving this individual and doing his duty. 

Award: On-Duty Difference Maker – Uniform/Sworn Police Officer. 
Service: Kingston Police. 
Year: 2020. 

On September 12, 2019, a 22 year old male began stabbing pedestrians at a downtown Kingston intersection. Constable Fil Wisniak - a 10 year veteran of the Kingston Police - was on foot when the call came in. Constable Wisniak responded to the call, running 2 blocks to the incident. Upon his arrival, one man had been fatally stabbed and another man was being attacked. Constable Wisniak intervened without hesitation - the male was about to attack a woman who was attempting to provide aid to one of the victims. 

Award: Community Role Model. 
Service: London Police. 
Year: 2020. 

Cst. Evan Harrison was nominated by various community members in the London area for his positive impact as a School Resource Officer and his volunteer work with kids in the London community, notably at The Children’s Hospital and as a non-parent coach in a local minor hockey league. Below are a few excerpts: 

I’m nominating Constable Harrison for this award for many reasons. His display of commitment, compassion and kindness only scratch the surface. Through his role as School Resource Officer, Cst. Harrison has developed such strong connections with my students, making each one feel special and valued in their own unique way. His dedication and determination to always make the world around him a better place is so inspiring for the younger generation to watch and learn from. It is truly evident that Officer Harrison was made for this job. The London Police Service and all of the schools he works with are so lucky to have such a stand up hero working alongside them. Thank you Constable Harrison for making such an impactful difference. 

Award: On-Duty Difference Maker – Civilian Police Service Employee(s). 
Service: Ottawa Police. 
Year: 2020. 

On June 12, 2019, Special Constable Bednarek and Special Constable Kelly were driving westbound on Laurier Avenue in Ottawa, returning to the Courthouse. They were waived down by frantic pedestrians as a suicidal male had climbed over the railing of the bridge on Laurier and began wrapping an extension cord around his neck - the other end of the cord had been tied off to the bridge. Both Special Constables exited their work vehicle and ran toward the suicidal male. 

Award: On-Duty Difference Maker
Service: Waterloo Regional Police
Year: 2018

Just before midnight on April 28, 2015, Constable Elizabeth Skelding responded to a domestic abuse call in progress at a house in Cambridge, Ontario. As her police cruiser approached, a female started coming down the driveway, with a male following close behind wielding a knife. Due to the proximity between the two, Officer Skelding first attempted to manually disarm the male as the use of her gun could have harmed the victim. In the ensuing struggle, the male stabbed Officer Skelding and continued towards his ex-girlfriend. Officer Skelding drew her weapon and shot the male to stop him from inflicting further injury to the victim or herself. While she was bleeding, Officer Skelding kept her gun on him until other officers arrived on the scene. Constable Skelding’s prompt actions saved the woman’s life.

Award: Community Role Model
Service: Chatham-Kent Police 
Year: 2018

Cst. Amy Finn has been with the Chatham-Kent police service for the past 30 years, and was the first female officer ever hired by the force. She received numerous nominations from people throughout the Chatham-Kent community praising her efforts to make the town a better place to live. She is a tireless volunteer for local initiatives such as soup kitchens, Goodfellows’ No Child Without Christmas drive, Cops for Cancer (for which she shaved her head), and so much more. She also takes a passion for instilling positive life values in the youth of Chatham-Kent, and many nominations credited Amy's dedication to helping them through challenging times as the reason they've become the upstanding people they are today. It is clear the people of Chatham-Kent are very proud to call Amy an active member of their community, both on and off duty. Though Constable Finn is soon retiring from service, her significant impact on the community will very much continue.

Award: Community Role Model
Service: Windsor Police Service
Year: 2017

Cealia has a strong passion for dedicating her time to bettering the community of Windsor. Recently, Cealia spent countless hours coaching for The Special Olympics and also developed the powerlifting program for her team. She is very involved in the Youth initiative program at Border City Boxing where she assists underprivileged youths with their boxing skills. She also spends a great deal of time collecting clothing and various household items for The Neighbourhood Renewal program. These are just a few areas where Cealia dedicates her time. Most nights she can be found assisting with various events across Windsor in hopes of a better future for our community.

Award: On-duty Difference Maker
Service: Greater Sudbury Police Service
Year: 2017

In February of 2016, Det. Cst Ryan Johnson came upon a distraught female who was sitting on the ledge of the Bridge of Nations in Sudbury, contemplating suicide. Det. Cst Johnson, showing the utmost empathy and compassion, spoke with the female…calming her down and building a rapport with her. When the opportunity presented itself, Det. Cst Johnson sprung in to action and grabbed the girl off the ledge, risking his own life to save this stranger. This is the exact definition of a hero. What was just as impressive was how humble Det. Cst Johnson was in the days to follow when answering to media about the experience.

Award: In the Line of Duty
Service: Niagara Regional Police
Year: 2016

Constable Phil Sheldon attended to a murder suicide in progress and was severely wounded during the incident as a result of his heroic actions.

Read the St. Catharine Standard Story

Award: In the Line of Duty
Service: Owen Sound
Year: 2016

Patrick Rawn was the acting Sergeant for his platoon on the morning of August 10, 2016, when Owen Sound came alive to a multitude of calls for fire and police services in the residential area of the city’s east side. Patrick showed calm, leadership in a storm of chaos and fear, bravely pulling people from burning buildings and assisting any way he could to keep residents safe and out of harm’s way.

Award: In the Community
Service: Hamilton Police Service
Year: 2016

Sharon Williamson, a Special Constable with the Hamilton Police Service, donates her time to bring attention to the homeless in her city. She raises money and provides some of the common necessities of life that people take for granted to ensure that Hamilton’s homeless feel a sense of worth.