One hundred B.C. sheriffs received the most prestigious national decoration for their profession this past weekend including a number from Prince George.
The Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal (POESM) recognizes peace officers who have more than 20 years of outstanding service in protecting the safety and security of the Canadian public.
Recipients from Prince George included Supt. Peter Wharton for 30 years, Sgt. Joseph Kerkhof for 30 years, Sgt. Eric Leblond for 20 years, Deputy Sheriff Mitchell Baker for 20 years, and Deputy Sheriff Alicia Correia for 20 years.
Recipients from other cities in the north include Insp. Dave Horvath from Terrace for 20 years, Staff Sgt. Michael Ringer in Prince Rupert for 30 years, and Deputy Sheriff Graham Bayles from Terrace for 30 years.
Attorney General Niki Sharma recognized the recipients at an awards ceremony held April 29 in Coquitlam.
This was the first in-person ceremony in five years. In addition to the medals, three commendations and one award of distinction were handed out.
“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 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."
