Four RCMP officers were honoured Thursday night "for their bravery and exemplary service" by B.C. Solicitor General Shirley Bond and the province's Lieutenant Governor Steven Point.
The four were cited at the gala 31st annual Police Honours Night for going into a burning 12-story apartment building and evacuating more than 80 people.
Although the situation may sound a lot like the events of Nov. 3 when the Victoria Towers apartment building was evacuated due to fire, this event was unrelated. It took place in the early hours of July, 13, 2000 but the scene was indeed Victoria Towers apartment building. Sergeant Howie Manning, Corporal Brad Myhre, Corporal Derek Smart, and Constable William VandeBrand were presented awards for their team efforts that day.
"Far too often we do not hear about the selfless work of police officers in British Columbia," said Bond. "I was very proud to participate in Police Honours Night and to be able to recognize these four special officers from my own community. I am confident that they did not go to work one day expecting to perform an act of bravery and heroism that ultimately saved lives. But they did and today we want to salute their strength of character and courage and congratulate them on this very special recognition. We are grateful for the service they provide in Northern BC."
Her fellow Prince George MLA Pat Bell added, "These four Prince George police officers should not only be congratulated and awarded for their bravery, but also be thanked for risking their own lives to ensure the safety of others. It's stories like these that prove just how lucky we are to have people willing to serve and protect communities across British Columbia."
Although none of the four reside anymore in the northern capital, Prince George RCMP issued an explanation about the incident.
"[Myhre] was on routine patrol in Prince George when he observed flames coming from a 12-story apartment building [address not specified]. AS fire and smoke exited from a second floor window, Const. Myhre notified the operational command centre and requested the fire department to attend.
"[VandeBrand] arrived and the two constables entered the building by breaking out a side door window and then proceeded to where the fire was on the second floor. They found a couple, who were later determined to be responsible for starting the fire, attempting to extinguish the flames.
"While the two members were removing the couple, [Smark] and [Manning] arrived. The four members went door to door attempting to evacuate the residents."
Many of the residents refused entry to the officers. They were forced to kick down some doors and forcibly remove some tenants. Others had mobility difficulties and had to be carried from the building via staircases. In all, 80 people were moved out of the burning building during the officers' sweep.
All honourees of the Police Honours Night are selected by a committee of representatives from the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and the ministry's Police Services Division.
