It was a cold, winter-like day on March 30, 1963 when Loretta Salt, along with her husband, two children, and niece, were travelling home by snow plane when the propeller from the plane dislodged and killed her husband, instantly.
Her act of bravery that day saved the lives of those children and her unborn child on Pickerel River, in the northern part of Parry Sound District.
Fifty-four years later, she became the recipient of the Commissioner’s Citations for Bravery Award on Oct. 18 in Blind River, along with 16 other Ontario Provincial Police officers and civilians for The North-East Region Ontario Provincial Police Awards Ceremony.
At seven months pregnant, Salt looked for shelter for the children and stumbled upon an overhanging rock. One by one, she carried the children and placed them out of harm’s way and piled snow in front of them for protection.
After, she went and sought help, walking for five hours, with one boot, to her sister-in-law’s house to seek medical attention. Rescuers were led to the scene by her and the children were safely retrieved.
Sitting next to her son, Daniel King, with whom she was seven months pregnant at the time, tears were overflowing her eyes as she recalled that day.
“I was scared but I knew I had to be brave and strong to save those children,” she said, looking at her son. “These kids mean everything to me. I’d do it again to save them.”
King also shared his sentiments about his mother, calling her “brave, courageous and beautiful.”
“My mother saved us all, even when I wasn’t born yet,” he exclaimed, looking at his mother in admiration. “She’s a brave, courageous and beautiful woman. She’s very strong. She deserves this. It’s a long time coming.”
OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes said Salt’s actions were selfless and brave.
“Her actions that day deserve to be spoken about today,” he said. “She acted very selflessly and brave for those children.”
Over 100 police officers, recipients and their family members were in attendance for the ceremony. Ten ceremonies are celebrated throughout the province to commemorate the acts of bravery, lifesaving, outstanding investigation and exemplary performance of duty by officers and civilians, stemming from the North-East region.
In total, 17 awards were received.
In December 2016, Melissa Filion witnessed a woman crossing the street in Parry Sound and collapse. She rushed to her aid and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. Because of this act of bravery, she was awarded the Commissioner’s Citations for Lifesaving and the St. John Ambulance Award.
“It’s in my nature to help and I’m glad the woman survived,” she said, after the ceremony. “I would do it again if needed.”
Also receiving the Commissioner’s Citations for Lifesaving Award were McKeller Fire Chief Edward Bier and Provincial Constable James Walback.
In November 2016, Bier was the first on scene when two elderly occupants went off the road and into a lake in McKellar Township and in February 2017, Walback was out enjoying the snow trails with his son when he saw a trapped male underneath his sled in a creek with little room to breathe. Walback lifted the sled off of him.
The award for outstanding Investigation was awarded to Sergeant Allan Kuzenko, Provincial Constable Lorne MacIsaac and Mary Pascuzzi. They received this award dating back from February 2014, when Provincial Constable Dave Dennie was killed when his car was hit by a tractor trailer. They spent countless days, hours and travel time from Thunder Bay to Toronto to look for clues about the incident. Because of them, the driver responsible was charged.
Provincial Constable Jeffrey Lobsinger was awarded the Commissioner’s Citations for Bravery when he jumped in the lake with his life vest in March 2017 to help a snowmobile rider who fell through the ice. Lobsinger also broke through the ice in an attempt to rescue the rider and the rider unfortunately succumbed to hypothermia. Lobsinger was recognized for his selfless act.
“It’s unfortunate that I couldn’t help him,” he expressed after the ceremony.
The Silent Partner Award was presented to Bernice Smart posthumously. Her son, William Smart accepted his late mother’s award. Bernice would answer the door of the police office to strangers and locals who needed advice and assistance. She would also answer the phone and relay messages to her husband while he was on patrol.
“My mother would have appreciated this award,” Smart said, concerning his mother. “She was the type of person that would help whoever whenever needed.”
The Commissioner’s Letter and St. John Award was received by Provincial Constable Shannon McGale for coming to the aid of a 40-year-old woman in Red Lake in July 2016, who was unresponsive with no pulse. If it wasn’t for her quick thinking and lifesaving actions, the woman wouldn’t have survived.
“When I get calls like this, I just do it, I don’t think it,” she said after the ceremony.
Provincial Constable Lowell Michael Baker was awarded the Commissioner’s Citations for Bravery for being part of a team who helped a 16 year-old girl in Massey who was injured on a cliff. The female had suffered a serious gash to her head and injured her leg when Baker rapelled nine metre down the rock cut where the girl was located. He sat with her for three hours to wait for emergency help. His team included Sergeant Keith Nicolle, Provincial Constables Barry Kelly, Rob Mellan and Evan Tripp, who were also rewarded with the Exemplary Performance of Duty Award.
After serving 30 years as an officer, Provincial Constable Carol Shawana was recognized for many years of service. Sergeants Michael Boivin and Straun Frederiksen and Provincial Constable Barry Kelly were also recognized for their 20 years of service.
Hawkes concluded the ceremony by thanking all the officers, civilians and their families for their hard work and dedication.
“Without you, we wouldn’t be able to serve, protect and help those in need.”
