Two former RCMP officers with the Terrace detachment have been officially recognized with honours for meritorious service as a result of their actions in two separate incidents.
Corporal Dean Perrin, now with the Williams Lake detachment, responded to an aggravated assault in progress at 4501 Park Ave., a residential complex, on April 27, 2020 to find a male lying on the ground in a pool of blood and suffering from a life-threatening gunshot injury.
Perrin, then a constable, “made the decision to extract the victim from the area, which left him vulnerable to the suspect while executing the extracting,” read his commendation. “During the extraction [Corporal] Perrin was confronted by the suspect and immediately took him into custody.”
Corporal Joshua Smith, also now with the Williams Lake detachment, responded to a report of a suspected impaired driver Oct. 20, 2020 along Queensway in Thornhill when he was notified that the vehicle had struck a propane tank in the residential area of the 4600 Block there.
Arriving at the location, Smith smelled propane and stopped a safe distance away, turning off his vehicle to avoid the risk of creating a spark.
But the suspected driver “attempted to light a cigarette, igniting the damaged propane tank and causing a massive explosion. The driver was thrown from the vehicle and sustained significant burns,” read Smith’s commendation.
“Despite the risk of a secondary explosion from the continuing gas leak, Corporal Smith proceeded into the explosion scene, extracted the male by dragging him to a safe area and rendering first aid.”
The officers were recognized April 19 by Lieutenant-Governor Janet Austin at Government House in Victoria on the second consecutive night of presentations to 154 law enforcement officers from across B.C.
These were the first in-person presentations of police honours since 2019, a circumstance caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Honourees were selected by a committee of representatives from the BC Association of Chiefs of Police and the provincial Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s police services division.
“It was an honour to hear the stories of these brave men and women, who put themselves in jeopardy to ensure the rest of us can live in peace and safety. We thank them for their service and acknowledge all who support them to do such impactful work for the province,” said Austin.