Watch above: The Edmonton Police Service paid tribute to officers Wednesday, commemorating long periods of service, specific responses, and citizen actions. Ross Neitz has more.
EDMONTON – Eight police officers who responded to the deadly shooting in HUB Mall are among those being honoured at an Edmonton Police Service Investiture, Officer Safety, and Citizen Awards ceremony.
The EPS Investiture Ceremony – held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at the Expo Centre – recognizes several past and presently serving officers for their 20, 25, and 40 years of service.
Then, the EPS Commendations will honour several Edmonton police officers for their outstanding work on specific cases.
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Inspector Erik Johnson, Constables Kenneth Dack, Trevor Dowhaniuk, Ryan Ferry, Matthew Li, Quentin Miller, Chris Noel and Brook Wisniewski
This award recognizes the outstanding work of eight members under incredibly difficult circumstances that occurred on June 15, 2012 at HUB Mall.
In the early hours of June 15, 2012, Travis Baumgartner shot and killed three of his fellow G4S security guards, and seriously injured another at the University of Alberta’s HUB Mall.
Michelle Shegelski, Eddie Rejano, and Brian Ilesic died that day, and Matt Schuman was critically wounded.
Baumgartner was later sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 40 years.
Constables Carolyn Bowen and Alexander Dickson
In November 2012, Edmonton Police were called to the 118 Avenue and 101 Street Boston Pizza Lounge on a report of a stabbing inside the premises.
Sergeant Mike Furman and Constable Taylor McCrudden
In May 2013, Constable McCrudden and Sergeant Furman extracted a driver from a vehicle that was engulfed in flames.
Constables Jess Bagan and Rich Leggatt
In May 2013, Constables Bagan and Leggatt were working in west Edmonton when they noticed some smoke nearby. Two homes were on fire and both officers went above and beyond the call of duty to warn the occupants of the danger.
Constables Duane Bateman, Alex Karampelas and David Webber
Last summer an eastbound vehicle was travelling on the Anthony Henday Freeway when it crossed the centre median and plunged into water. The three officers entered the deep, cold, and murky water, still wearing their heavy protective vests, boots, and uniforms.
On July 11, 2013, a vehicle was heading east on Anthony Henday North when the driver lost control at 97 Street. It crossed the west lanes and plunged into a drainage pond.
The vehicle was submerged for between 15 and 20 minutes. The 26-year-old driver was pulled from the water by rescuers and taken to hospital in critical condition. He later passed away. It was determined the crash was caused by a medical incident.
Constables Chris Deluca, Carrie Dreger, Stephen Fossen and Jeffrey Strickland
In July 2013, police were called to 88 Avenue and 85 Street on report of weapons complaint. Along with a citizen, the four officers saved a man from going over the Mill Creek Bridge.
The EPS will also present Officer Safety and Citizen Awards to acknowledge citizens who have demonstrated outstanding civic responsibility by assisting the Edmonton Police in preventing a crime, apprehending an offender or willingly participating in police investigations.
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