Service pins and commendations laid out ready for presentation. -photo 250News

Prince George ,BC – It Is a day of recognition for North  District RCMP.

Deputy Commissoner Craig  Callens and North District  Chief Superintendent Lesley Bain were on hand at the Ramada Hotel for the annual event which recognizes long service by officers and civilian employees.

While those in attendance were asked to hold their applause until the end of all presentations, those in the audience could not hold back for Conservation Officer Cameron Hills.

Hills (shown at right) is the Conservation Officer who attended the scene when young Cody Alan Legebokoff was stopped at the side of the road by Constable Kehler in late November of 2010.  Legebokoff had told officers he was in the area hunting. Conservation Officer Hills was called to the scene to assist and he is the one who located the body of  15 year old Loren Leslie.  He was  presented with a Commanding Officer’s Letter of Appreciation.

 14 officers were recognized for length of service including three who received their 35 year gold clasp:

• Inspector Martin Dey
• Corporal Christopher Knight
• Civilian member Sandy Deacon

Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens  says the gold clasp with three stars is one of his “favourite awards to present.  35 years is an important accomplishment.”

Two civilians, Shane Spencer and Ryan Boyle, were presented with a Commanding Officer’s Commendation and Insignia for their act of bravery. The two rescued a man who had fallen into a crevice on a glacier near Stewart BC 5 years ago. The injured man was on an ice shelf 30 feet down   and there was a further 100 foot drop below that shelf.

The two had lowered themselves into the crevice and successfully rescued the injured man.

Katherine Howie was presented with the “Second Man  Recognition Certificate and pin”.

(At right Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens  presents award to Katherine Howie)

It is a special award to recognize the support  a spouse gives the serving member.  In  Mrs.Howie’s case she had  gone to remote communities with her husband Corporal Jim Howie. In those  small remote communities she often answered radio calls or assisted those who arrived at the detachment.

Commanding Officer’s Certificates of Appreciation were presented to:

• Constable Christopher Heavener
• Dr. Richard Lazenby  for his forensic work in the Pickton investigation
• Lora Lee Murray