Insp. John Campbell honoured for humanitarian response

Insp. John Campbell of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service will be among citizens and police officers honoured at the Ontario Provincial Police - North East Region Awards ceremony Thursday in Sudbury.

The awards recognize acts of bravery, lifesaving, community service and exemplary performance of duty.

Following is the information which led to the selection of Insp. Campbell for a Commissioner's Commendation for Assistance to the OPP.

It recognizes his efforts in conjunction with those of two other men also chosen for awards.

This information will also be read during Thursday's awards presentations.

************************* Inspector John Campbell, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Mark Jordan, Dr. John Kokacich

Mr. Jordan is receiving the Commissioner’s Citation for Bravery.

Inspector Campbell and Dr. Kokacich are being presented with Commissioner’s Commendations.

During the late afternoon of September 6, 2005, Mr. Jordan and his wife were at their campsite in a remote area of Missinaibi Provincial Park near Chapleau, Ontario, when a large black bear approached. The bear ignored food on their picnic table and headed towards Mr. Jordan’s wife.

When the animal grabbed her, her husband tried many times to intervene, but to no avail.

Mr. Jordan tried in vain to fight the bear, but was only able to stab the animal with a small knife five or six times.

Eventually, he was able to make his way with his wife to the beach with the bear tracking them.

Mr. Jordan struggled to load his wife into a kayak and paddled to a nearby campsite, where campers helped him load his wife into their boat before heading out for the main dock.

En route, they flagged down a faster vessel for help.

Dr. Kovacich, a physician, and Inspector Campbell, who was off duty, were on board the vessel.

Seriously injured, Mr. Jordan went in the faster boat, which sped to the main dock, while the other campers continued to transport his wife.

Dr. Kovacich assessed Mr. Jordan’s wounds and determined they were not life threatening.

He also confirmed that Mr. Jordan’s wife had been fatally wounded during the attack.

Dr. Kovacich remained with Mr. Jordan until the ambulance arrived approximately two hours later.

In the meantime, Inspector Campbell immediately notified camp officials and advised them of his profession.

On the instructions of camp personnel, Inspector Campbell secured the dock area until police arrived and only allowed ambulance personnel onto the scene.

Tonight, we honour Mr. Jordan for his courageous attempt to rescue his wife and, we also recognize Inspector Campbell and Dr. Kovacich for their humanitarian response to the incident.

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