Ontario Honours Police Officers and Firefighters

Province recognizes heroic acts of courage and bravery

June 22, 2023

TORONTO — The Ontario government is honouring 21 police officers and 13 firefighters with the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery and the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery. The medals are the province’s highest honours and are given to police officers and firefighters who have demonstrated great courage in risking their lives to save the lives of others.

“I have spent much time thinking about the constant risks and dangers that first responders face. Our province has benefitted greatly from their service, and today, we recognize the remarkable bravery of 34 police officers and firefighters from across Ontario,” said the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. “In accepting these medals, I hope that these brave men and women will re-commit themselves to serving the public with integrity, knowing that their accomplishments will help motivate a new generation of Ontarians to join their ranks – looking to follow their example.”

“Ontario is fortunate to be home to the best police officers and firefighters in the country,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “When confronted with the perils these men and women faced, most of us would have hesitated – they didn’t. They ran toward danger. And for that we honour them with the province’s highest award for bravery – their work is an inspiration to us all. On behalf of a grateful province, we thank them for their dedication to their communities and their extraordinary courage.”

The recipients of the 2022 Ontario Medal for Police Bravery are:

Hanover Police Service

Constable Regan Bill
Constable Devin Perdue

Lac Seul Police Service

Constable Robert Lawrance

Niagara Regional Police Service

Constable Mike Delano
Constable Christian Gifford

Ontario Provincial Police

Provincial Constable Marc Nielsen
Provincial Constable Adam Rudd

Ottawa Police Service

Constable Iain Campbell
Constable Wayne Clayton
Constable Eric Douglas

Sault Ste. Marie Police Service

Constable Jeffrey Tait

Timmins Police Service

Sergeant Robin Carter
Constable Mark Lauzon

Toronto Police Service

Constable Johnny Amatuzio
Constable Steevens Audigé
Constable Rébecca Gaudreau
Constable Mihail Kochankov
Constable Laura Mackasey

Windsor Police Service

Senior Constable William “B.J.” Wiley

York Region Police Service

Staff Sergeant David Mitchell
Constable Mark Burnett

The recipients of the 2022 Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery are:

Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service

Volunteer Firefighter Robyn Judd

London Fire Department

Senior Qualified Firefighter Andrew Cadieux
Firefighter Alex Clements
Firefighter Apparatus Operator Matt Davis
Captain Randy Evans
Firefighter Apparatus Operator James Ferraro
Firefighter Stephen Hilton
Firefighter Ryan Kruk
Senior Qualified Firefighter Simon Mackintosh
Captain David Smith
Captain Ron Vermeltfoort
Firefighter Thomas Wenhardt

Blue Mountains Fire Services Department

Fire Chief Stephen Conn

Quick Facts

Since 1975, 315 Ontario Medals for Police Bravery have been awarded.
Since 1976, 260 Ontario Medals for Firefighter Bravery have been awarded.
The medals are presented at a special ceremony at Queen’s Park, hosted by the Lieutenant Governor.

Ontario Honours Police Officers and Firefighters

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