Man saved from heart attack gets chance to thank heroes

"Police are the public and the public are the police."

That from Robert Keetch, Sault Ste. Marie police chief, quoting Sir Robert Peel, who is credited for being the father of modern policing.

Keetch uttered the quote as host of the 29th Annual Police Community Programs Night, held Wednesday at the Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront Hotel.

"Police are the only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to (law enforcement) duties, while it is incumbent on every citizen (to help with policing) in the interest of community welfare," Keetch said.

"Police are starting to recognize and acknowledge we can't be the sole owner of public safety issues and we need to understand how to engage the public to share the responsibility of community safety."

With that, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board presented awards and gave recognition to members of the public who have bravely helped stop or solve crimes, along with businesses who have helped the police do their work, and some police officers who have done exceptional work fighting crime and saving lives.

Among several citizens who received awards from the police at Wednesday's event were Patrick and Catherine O'Donnell, Chris Barill and Ashley Westbrook for their apprehension of a robbery suspect October 19, 2014.

On that day, a female suspect attempted to rob a cab driver and stabbed him.

The driver was treated for non-life threatening injuries, and as a result of the intervention by the citizens, the female suspect was taken into custody by police and charged with aggravated assault, robbery and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

The strongest example of the public and police working together, in this case to save a man's life, involved the story of Drew Williamson.

Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Constables Steven Potter and Luigi Runco, along with a member of the public, Ivy Adam (who is a nurse), came to Williamson's aid when he collapsed while attending a Soo Greyhounds game February 11.

Before the three received their awards, it was announced Williamson had been released from Toronto General Hospital after heart surgery and returned to Sault Ste. Marie Monday, and was in attendance at Wednesday's event at the Delta.

An emotional Williamson stepped forward to greet the officers and Adam, and drew a huge round of applause from the audience.

"Prior to the game we (Williamson and his wife) went to the canteen to get popcorn and pop.  I had just placed the order, then I don't remember anything.  My understanding was that I had dropped dead," Williamson told SooToday.

"They did CPR, mouth-to-mouth was attempted on me, then the police officers came with a defibrillator and brought me back."

"Since that time I've been to Toronto and had heart surgery and my own defibrillator put in my heart to help my heart keep beating."

"I believe coming here tonight was very important  to myself, to everybody that was involved, to thank the city, and I hope the people will support any fundraiser for these important defibrillator machines (automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, which can be found at various municipal buildings, such as Essar Centre)."

"It is very hard to put into words, it's very emotional, but I'd like to thank the people of Sault Ste. Marie."

Williamson also extended his thanks to Jim Ellis, Julian Bowerman and Bruce Boynton (volunteers who work at Greyhound games) who were first on the scene.

Awards were also given Wednesday to Conseil Scolaire Catholique du Nouvel-Ontario and Our Lady of Lourdes schools for being accident free for 20 years and 25 years respectively.

The staff at PetValu on Second Line West were awarded for their continuous donations of food to Police Service Dog Justice.

Sault Police Constable Alison Kirkpatrick and OPP Constable Monique Baker were awarded for their work in "Operation All Dressed Up," which enables less fortunate girls to have the clothing they need to attend high school proms or graduation ceremonies.  

Andrew Sarlo and Dennis Tatasciore of S&T Group (along with contractor Jeff Avery, who was not in attendance) were awarded for providing funds and workmanship towards the Sault Police Neighbourhood Resource Centre (NRC) on Gore Street.

Other citizens awarded for stopping or solving crimes were Mark Richardson, Paul Hebert Junior, Felicia Legros, Mike Armitage, Gene Wesselius, Mitch Reinholtz, Todd Robert, Meurwyn Jeffreys, Brendan Brooks, Mike Barbeau, Jennifer and Don MacDonald and Tim Murphy.

Chief Keetch was also pleased to present a Chief's Coin award to Dr. Hugh Russell, a consultant specializing in community policing, at Wednesday's event.

The following is a full list from city police of those recognized last night:

On the evening of the 25th of February 2015, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board hosted the 29th Annual Police Community Programs Night.

Last evening over 100 persons and agencies were recognized for their contribution and assistance to our community.

The Police Service works closely with many businesses, agencies and service clubs to ensure our community is a safe one. 

In addition, the Police Service and the Police Services Board also presented a number of awards.

In conjunction with the Kinsmen, who generously support the Elmer the Safety Elephant Program, as well as the Presents for Paeds campaign, two schools were recognized for practicing the Elmer Safety Tips, such as look both ways before crossing the street.

The schools recognized are:

            -Conseil Scolaire Catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (Former Notre Dames Des Ecole) -20 years accident free

            -Our Lady of Lourdes- 25 years accident free          

The Service and Police Services Board also presented plaques to the following persons for their contributions to the Service and Community:

            -Jason and Rebekah of Pet Valu on Second Line West for their continuous and generous donation of food for Police Service Dog Justice

            -Constable Alison Kirkpatrick of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and Constable Monique Baker of the Ontario Provincial Police for starting and maintaining “Operation All Dressed Up”.

            -Dennis Tatisciore and Andrew Sarlo from S&T Group as well as Jeff Avery from Avery Construction for their generous donation in funds and workmanship for the transformation of the Neighbourhood Resource Center (NRC) on Gore Street. In addition these gentleman were also instrumental in bringing other businesses who donating to the NRC as well.

The following persons were presented with an award of commendation for their role in assisting with solving crime in our community:

            -Mark Richardson for his efforts in assisting with the apprehension of theft suspect

            -Paul Hebert Junior for his efforts in stopping an impaired driver

            -Felicia Legros for her efforts in assisting with the apprehension of an impaired driver

            -Mike Armitage for his efforts in assisting with the apprehension of an impaired driver

            -Gene Wesselius for his efforts in assisting with the apprehension of the theft suspects

            -Mitch Reinholtz for his efforts in the apprehension of a robbery suspect

            -Todd Robert for his efforts in the apprehension of a robbery suspect

            -Meurwyn Jeffreys for his efforts in the apprehension of a robbery suspect

            -Brendan Brooks for his efforts in the apprehension of a robbery suspect

            -Chris Barill for his efforts in the apprehension of a robbery suspect

            -Patrick O’Donnell for his efforts in the apprehension of a robbery suspect

            -Katherine O’Donnell for her efforts in the apprehension of a robbery suspect

            -Ashley Westbrook for her efforts in the apprehension of a robbery suspect

            -Mike Barbeau for his efforts in the apprehension of a robbery suspect

            -Jennifer and Don MacDonald for their efforts in the apprehension of a break and enter suspect

            -Tim Murphy for his efforts in the apprehension of a break and enter suspect.

This year Chief Keetch presented the Chief’s Coins to several persons at the supper.

Three officers were presented coins for their work on a drug project.

The following businesses were recognized for their contribution to renovating the the Neighbourhood Resource Centre

• Soo Mill

• Lyons

• David Ellis

• Wolseley

• MET Energy

• Equipment World

• Hollow Metal & Architectural

• Glass Employees (Don’t know if these are to be put with Hollow Metal)

• Superior 7 Advertising

In addition, Constable Potter, Constable Runco and a member of the public, Ivy Adam, were recognized for performing CPR on a male earlier this month at a Greyhound game.  We are happy to report the male is doing fine thanks to the efforts of these three. 

Thank you again to our community and community partners and we look forward to the successes 2015 will bring.

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