Three Terrace sheriffs are among 100 from around the province who have now received long service medals.
Inspector Dave Horvath received recognition for 20 years, Deputy Sheriff Graham Bayles for 30 years and Deputy Sheriff Colin Willoner for 20 years.
A ceremony was held in Coquitlam April 29, marking the first time in years presentations were made in person.
“When people attend court, they are often under a lot of stress and the last thing they need to be concerned about is safety,” said provincial attorney-general Niki Sharma.
“These sheriffs have been going above and beyond the call of duty for many years to help make sure people in communities across B.C. can access the justice services they need safely.”
Terrace is the regional main office for the sheriff service in the northwest with Horvath, who is in charge of the office, saying there are approximately 15 sheriffs on duty.
The area takes in Haida Gwaii to the west and stretches to Houston in the east and north to Dease Lake and south to Kitimat.
Responsibilities include courtroom security, managing the jury selection and administration process, serving warrants and transporting accused persons or convicted persons between various communities and facilities as required.
That latter responsibility consumes a lot of time given the size of the northwestern B.C. area, Horvath noted.
“They can be on the road at least two days a week,” he said of a deputy sheriff’s duties.
While sheriffs have been in existence in the provincial government for many years, it was only in 1974 the service was reorganized into the official capacity that’s recognizable today.