Second
Medal of Bravery Awarded to VicPD Sergeant who is Among Four Honoured with
Decoration
Victoria BC – VicPD’s Sergeant Mike Johnston, M.B.,
who will be receiving his second Medal of Bravery, is one of four VicPD
officers to be decorated by The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor
General of Canada in a ceremony at Rideau Hall tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. EST.
Sgt. Johnston joins Sgt. Mike Brown, Cst. Steve Kowan and
Cst. Ken Ramsay in receiving this award from the Governor General for their
dedication, focus and commitment to public safety after diffusing a potentially
lethal situation. They will be joined by 42 other Canadians who will be
honoured with this award.
The officers were called into action to conduct a search for
possible victims in a heavily booby-trapped residence in the 3100-block of
Carroll Street in Victoria on June 15th, 2011. The incident
was related to a search warrant that VicPD’s Strike Force section executed on
the Carroll Street address.
Due to the nature of the scene and suspect, the Greater
Victoria Emergency Response Team was asked to assist. All four members
volunteered to enter this residence knowing full well that traps were set
inside and were specifically designed to cause death or serious bodily harm.
These traps included improvised explosive devices and devices designed to
electrocute anyone who came in contact with them.
The officers performed valiantly and were able to safely
enter and disarm devices while checking for any potential victims.
As noted, this is Sgt. Johnston’s second Medal of Bravery.
In 2010 he was awarded this honour for the first time following a police
involved shooting that occurred on Blackwood Street and Hillside Avenue. He was
among three officers to receive the award at that time.
Canada’s Decorations for Bravery were created by the
Government of Canada and approved by the Queen in 1972. Over the 41 years these
medals have existed, less than 2900 people have ever been awarded the Medal of
Bravery. The Medal of Bravery decoration recognizes acts of bravery in
hazardous circumstances.
Fifteen VicPD officers have now received the Medal of
Bravery. The chronology of awards is as follows:
Sgt. Bill Trudeau, Sgt. Sean Plater, Cst Larry Hemstad and Cst. Eric Ooms –
2001
Sgt. Mike Johnston, Sgt. John Ayers and Cst. Cliff Watson –
2010
Cst. Dale Sleightholme and Cst. Paul Spencelayh – 2010
Cst. Sandi Begg – 2012
Sgt. Brad Fraser – 2012
Sgt. Mike Johnston (Second decoration), Sgt. Mike Brown,
Cst. Steve Kowan, Cst. Ken Ramsay - 2013
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