EPS Recognition Ceremony
4:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Expo Centre, Edmonton Northlands, Ballroom 101
The EPS Recognition Ceremony will recognize several past and presently serving officers for their 20 and 40 years of service. Also being awarded are Senior Officer Commissions, EPS Commendations, Officer Safety, and International Policing Deployment recognition.
Assisting EPS Chief Rod Knecht in the Recognition Ceremony presentation are Edmonton Police Commission (EPC) Chair Cathy Palmer and the Honourable Kathleen Ganley, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.
Following the EPS Recognition Ceremony are the:
Edmonton Police Commission Citizen Awards
*7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Expo Centre, Edmonton Northlands, Ballroom 106
These awards acknowledge citizens who have intervened in a crime in progress, assisted the Edmonton Police Service in apprehending an offender, played a major role in the successful outcome of a police investigation, or put themselves at personal risk by coming to the aid of a police officer or fellow citizen in a dangerous situation, and in doing so have prevented injury, trauma or death.
* Citizen Awards commence following dinner and times may vary by 5 – 15 minutes. Interviews can be arranged after the presentations at approximately 8:10 p.m.
Award descriptions below:
EPS Awards – presented at 4:30 p.m. in Ballroom 101
Life-savingCommendations
In May 2015, Constables Jeff PARK and WAYNE HALTLI conducted a vehicle stop with a suspected impaired driver. Constable Haltli attempted to arrest the driver when a struggle ensued and the driver shot Constable Park. When Sergeant Jason FORBES arrived on scene he took immediate action to organize an emergency evacuation. In addition to the Lifesaving Commendation, Cst. Haltli is receiving an Officer Safety Award and Cst. Park is receiving a Bravery Commendation.
Constables Brad ANDREWS, Sandip GAHUNIA, Janel LIRETTE and Justin MILLER
Four members involved in an assault near Jasper Avenue where two males stabbed a male victim. All four members acted swiftly in saving the man’s life.
Staff Sergeant Kevin BERGE, Inspectors Darren DERKO and Dan JONES
When a fellow EPS staff member was found unconscious due to an allergic reaction in his office, all three EPS members stepped in to ensure the unconscious member was taken to the hospital, where he made a full recovery.
Constable Rob KITCHEN
Constable Kitchen noticed that a construction worker appeared flush and sweaty. He questioned the man about his symptoms and believed he may be in danger of a heart attack.
Constables Dave MCCRACKEN, Scott STRACHAN, Daniel WHITE and Acting Sergeant Neil THOMPSON
All four members were at work in the early morning hours of Dec. 18, 2015, when three armed suspects entered two Mac’s stores, produced firearms, shot and murdered two clerks. The four are receiving Exceptional Policing Commendations.
Constables Stacy MISKOLCZI
Cst. Miskolczi was working at a School Resource Officer at L.Y. Cairns School when she was made aware that a staff member was unconscious and unresponsive. Cst. Miskolczi used an AED until EMS arrived.
Constable Curtis FERMANIUK
In April 2014, an altercation in north Edmonton resulted in one of the victims receiving a life-threatening stab wound. Cst. Fermaniuk, with the assistance of a civilian, rushed to the aid of the victim and was able to administer emergency first aid until EMS arrived.
Constable Bryan ALM
In March 2015, Constable Alm was off duty when he came upon two males and one female assaulting a uniformed security guard on 109 Street and Whyte Avenue. His choice to stop and assist, along with the help of Mr. Devyn Vick, resulted in the apprehension of the three individuals. Cst. Alm is receiving a Bravery Commendation. Mr. Vick is being recognized with a citizen award.
Constable Kevin MACDIARMID
In June 2014, a man called the EPS to report a VIN number did not look legitimate on a trailer he was thinking of purchasing through Kijiji. EPS members investigated the complaint and found the seller had multiple warrants for his arrest.
Edmonton Police Commission Citizen Awards – presented at 7:30 p.m., Ballroom 106
Christoff BOSHOFF and Mide SEYI-AJAYI
Earlier this year, the paths of two strangers crossed, and a young girl’s life was saved. Mr. Christoff Boshoff and Mr. Mide Seyi-Ajayi were in separate vehicles when they saw a 14-year-old girl standing on the outside of the bridge railing holding on to the bars.
Justin BOYCE and Robert McBRIDE
In May 2015, the lives of three coworkers changed dramatically. As a group of employees were attending a meeting in a west end parking lot, a former employee arrived with a gun and fired several shots, striking the supervisor.
Ryan COLTON
For the EPS and citizens of Edmonton alike, June 8, 2015, is a day we will never forget - that was the day we lost Constable Dan Woodall. Were it not for the bravery of Mr. Ryan Colton, the EPS could have been mourning the loss of another officer as well. Mr. Colton lived in the house next door to where countless shots were fired at officers.
Jason CURRELL and Micheal CURRELL
This father and son crime fighting duo made their debut in April 2015 when they assisted two officers attempting to arrest a strong and violent man following a traffic stop.
Lori-Ann DAWSON, Dylan STANG, and Andrew FISHER
Ms. Lori-Ann Dawson, Mr. Dylan Stang, and Mr. Andrew Fisher are members of the West Edmonton Mall security team. One night in June 2015, they received a call from the EPS alerting them to an assault in a park near the mall property.
Nathan DESMOND
In September 2015, Mr. Nathan Desmond was working at a construction site when his attention was caught by squealing tires and police lights. He spotted a male running in his direction, freshly pursued by a police officer.
Daniel FOULKES and Justin PEARCE
In August of 2015, an EPS officer was attempting to apprehend a distraught male on the side of the road. The man began to struggle and there was a considerable risk of him running back into traffic. Passers-by, Mr. Foulkes and Mr. Pearce stepped in to help the officer gain control.
Samir GHADIEH
In February of this year, Mr. Samir Ghadieh was driving when he observed two people yelling at a man who was sexually assaulting a female in a park across the street. He, too, yelled at the man and drove towards him as he started to leave the area.
Devyn VICK
In March 2015, an off-duty police officer – Cst. Bryan Alm - stepped in to help a grocery store security guard who was being assaulted by three people. Two of the suspects assaulted the officer and ran. Mr. Devyn VICK, an off-duty but uniformed correctional peace officer, saw the assaults and stepped in.
Habib YAZDANI and Ashkan ZAREI
One evening in August 2015, Mr. Habib Yasdani was in a southside convenience store when a man armed with a knife and a firearm threatened the staff. Mr. Yazdani left the store and came back moments later with his friend, Mr. Ashkan Zarei.