There was no fanfare, and the cameras were told to shut off at North Bay Police Headquarters for a private ceremony.
The Police Board handed out a Police Board Commendation to a man who helped save a woman from possible death during a domestic incident back in November of 2014.
The man, we will call “the Hero,” broke into a residence to save a North Bay woman from her attacker, who was 58 at the time and was charged with attempted murder.
“Without the involvement of our citizens, policing would be very, very difficult. So today’s actions recognize that a gentleman who came to the aid of a lady being assaulted at her residence, actually went above and beyond, by kicking in the door and involving himself in taking the assailant off of the victim and really probably saving her life; definitely saving her from more grievous injuries,” said Deputy Chief Shawn Devine, who will be sworn in as the new Police Chief on January 22nd.
The “Hero” went up to the front of the board room, accepted his plaque, smiled and said thank you.
That’s all.
Devine believes that’s a true sign of integrity.
“I’ve often heard of people talking about integrity and a definition of that for me is somebody that does something without wanting people to acknowledge what’s going on, or people knowing, so I think this was extremely unselfish of this gentlemen and the fact he didn’t want to be recognized in public. But he was gracious enough to come here and get recognized. It was great,” said Devine.
However, the “Hero” wasn’t the only person present at the private ceremony.
The victim, who also wishes to be unnamed, was there to support her lifesaver and had this message for anyone else who is a victim of domestic violence.
“I’m grateful to him and his family, but remember it is so easy not to do anything,” she told the board members shortly after the commendation presentation.
“It takes courage to say ‘I’ve got to do something and step out of my comfort zone.’
“Step forward, don’t be afraid. It is so important, and it’s a terrible thing if we don’t do anything that it will continue.”
While the Police Service admits they don’t give these type of awards out often, they felt this “Hero” deserved it.
“We haven’t but it’s not because we don’t want to do it, it’s just at that level being recognized by the police service,” said Deputy Chief Devine.
“We do have a lot of actions that are recognized but at this level it is very rare, and especially in the circumstance where it was an incident that probably saved somebody's life.”
