Locals to be honoured at OPP North East Region Awards Ceremony

OPP News Release

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(KIRKLAND LAKE, ON) – An Ontario Provincial Police North East Region Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 87, 35 Duncan Ave, North, Kirkland Lake (Seating at 1:00 pm – Presentations 1:30-2:30 pm.)

Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Chris Lewis will make the presentations with the assistance of Chief Superintendent Scott Tod – Regional Commander, North East Region. Staff Sergeant Andy Atchison, Kirkland Lake Detachment Commander hosts the event and Superintendent Joffre (Jeff) Dupuis will be the Director of Ceremony.

An OPP Awards Ceremony honours citizens and Ontario Provincial Police members, both uniform and civilian, who have demonstrated acts of bravery, lifesaving, community service and exemplary performance of duty. Length of service is also recognized.

Thursday’s ceremony, the second of the year for the North East Region, honours recipients from the detachment areas of Kirkland Lake, South Porcupine (Foleyet, Gogama, Iroquois falls and Matheson); James Bay (Kapuskasing, Hearst, Cochrane, Smooth Rock Falls, Moosonee); Temiskaming (Englehart, Temagami); Almaguin Highlands; Provincial Communication Centre - North Bay.

Commissioner’s Citation for Lifesaving

SAM GENDREAU

On August 17, 2009, a car was travelling through a construction zone on Highway 17 near Buritts Road in Mattawa, Ontario, when the driver lost control of the vehicle.

The car suddenly veered right and then left the roadway, striking a rock cut before becoming airborne and coming to rest near the rock cut, where it started to burn.

Mr. Gendreau was a passenger in a vehicle behind the car and stopped to assist.

Realizing that the fire posed a threat to the two unconscious and injured occupants, Mr. Gendreau assisted in removing them from the burning vehicle.

The driver, who suffered major injuries, was initially transported to a local hospital and later airlifted to Sudbury in critical condition.

The passenger sustained only minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital then released.

Today we honour Mr. Gendreau for his actions, which saved the lives of the two women.


LISA McDONALD

On September 1, 2009, Ms. McDonald, a communications operator at the North Bay Provincial Communications Centre, was on duty as a call taker when she received a call from a young man. The caller was at a window in his residence with a rope around his neck threatening to end his life.

While officers were en route to the scene, Ms. McDonald remained calm and engaged the subject in conversation, speaking to him in a compassionate and professional manner.

As a result of the rapport she built with him, the man removed the rope from his neck and climbed back into the residence prior to the arrival of police.

When officers reached the scene, they found the subject in a calm state and prepared to go to the hospital with them for treatment.

Today we honour Ms. McDonald for her actions, which saved the man’s life.

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