I just wanted to give credit where it's due. Constable Ben Pike is the cream of the crop. He is a leader within the organization. Not only does he always come to work with a smile on his face, but he is in his element the most when he is helping others. He is our hero because policing to him is a lifestyle, not simply a job. He is always willing to help anyone. 

I would like to nominate Rebecca Elliott for being a positive role model for everyone. Not just children but adults as well. Seeing her Instagram posts and stories of how she’s helped this community day after day with big events or just a day with the kids at a school has made me want to be a police officer more than ever. I want to help change this community and make it better in any way I can. I hope I get the chance to work with her one day and would be honoured to learn from her.

I would like to nominate Officer Kimberly Cadarette for her amazing contribution to the community for the 2019 Police Hero Award. Kimberly is an amazing human being and has one of the biggest hearts I know. She devotes her time and resources and gives it her all in helping others. She inspires so many people in doing better and is someone that many people look up to. Its always a pleasure volunteering with Kimberly.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Evan on a professional as well as personal level. His positive attitude and upbeat personality are contagious, and I have seen first hand how students respond to him as an Officer. His joy of teaching is obvious and is reflected in the students he teaches and mentors. Hero’s can be defined in many ways, but Evan’s ability to teach young people to make positive decisions that will affect their future would definitely fit into one of the definitions.

This is very difficult for me to write, however, Officer Mills is definitely a hero to me personally and my family. On the evening of April 30, 2018, Officer Mills was the first to arrive to our aid. On that evening, my 16 year old son, who suffered from mental illness, decided to take his life. As mentioned, Officer Mills was the first to arrive, freed my son and immediately started CPR. 

Since starting the wellness unit January 2018, S/Sgt Staniforth has worked tirelessly to ensure all officers and their families are well equipped to deal with mental illness. She has brought mental wellness to the forefront and has played a major role in my recovery and spreading the word to help end the stigma attached. I can honestly say I would not be where I am today and that of my family, if not for her continuous love, support and commitment to ensure well-being of all officers.

Cealia has gone above in beyond in helping with the Special Olympics in Windsor-Essex for the past couple years. It has been a pleasure donating to this cause on behalf of Cealia as her efforts are truly unmatched and they are very much appreciated.

I nominate S/CST Butler with the Ottawa Police Service. He is very involved within the community. He coaches soccer, is involved in catholic school council and is a member of the OPS Hoopstars. He organizes a charity golf tournament within the courthouse and donates funds to different agencies every year. He is a father of 4 so he understands the importance of early youth intervention and influence. He is a valued member of our community.

I would like to nominate Julie Levesque for her outstanding Civilian work as a 911 Dispatcher with the Peterborough Community Police Service. She has answers calls from members of the Peterborough community, often on the worst days of their lives. It takes a special type of person to walk through the doors of a police department ready to answer 911 calls. Julie is that special person. 

I would like to nominate Rebecca Elliott. My child, his friends and I met her at a skate park here in London. She had brought free McDonald's ice cream coupons and handed them out to all the children who had helmets on (I got one, too, because I make my kids wear helmets). I saw her interaction with all the children. She is a perfect role model for all of our youth and you can see that her compassion is so genuine. Since then, I have seen her face everywhere volunteering in our community.