The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is hosting an annual award ceremony in Orillia on Thursday, May 26, 2022, for Central Region employees and community members who are being recognized for a variety of acts and achievements.
The Central Region Awards are part of a series of award ceremonies held by the OPP every year to recognize various people in each of its regions. Among those recognized are OPP uniformed and civilian members, as well as community members who have demonstrated outstanding achievement, dedication, perseverance, innovation and an overall commitment to the OPP and the communities they serve. Employees who have reached service milestones are also recognized.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique will be on hand to present the awards to the many worthy recipients. Also in attendance will be Chief Superintendent Dwight Peer, Regional Commander of Central Region OPP, Mayor of Severn, Mr. Mike Burkett, and Mr. Steve Clarke, Mayor of Orillia.
Among the recipients to whom Commissioner Thomas Carrique will be presenting awards are:
Members of the public who jumped into the Muskoka River and risked their lives to rescue a swimmer in distress on August 24, 2020, in Bracebridge. One of the recipients lost his life during the rescue attempt. His daughter will be accepting his Citation for Bravery on his behalf.
A Central Region member who was involved in the tracking and eventual apprehension of three armed suspects, who had entered a vehicle and demanded money. The officer will be honoured with an Exemplary Performance of Duty Award.
A father and son team, who showed extraordinary lifesaving skills when they pulled two victims from the water in Chemong Lake in the dark. The rescuers returned to search for two more victims, one of which was found unresponsive. Both father and son will be receiving a Citation for Lifesaving & St. Johns Award