An Edmonton police officer has been named the city’s “top cop” for going above and beyond the call of duty.
Staff Sgt. Duane Hunter has been recognized by the Kiwanis Club of Edmonton Oil Capital as its Top Cop for 2018.
READ MORE: Edmonton police officer named Kiwanis 2017 Top Cop
Hunter received the honour for his work around the community, specifically for his efforts to revitalize the Candy Cane Lane event during the holiday season over the last eight years.
“When you become a police officer, you come with that intrinsic belief system where you’re part of community, you give back to community; that’s why I became a police officer,” Hunter said.
The Kiwanis Club donates $1,000 to a charity of the winning officer’s choice. This year, Hunter selected the Crestwood Community League to receive the donation.
READ MORE: Volunteer football coach named Edmonton’s top cop of 2015
WATCH BELOW: Staff Sgt. Duane Hunter featured in a story about Candy Cane Lane’s ups and downs.
Hunter started attending Crestwood Community League meetings eight years ago to create a committee to support Candy Cane Lane residents in continuing the annual holiday tradition.
He was able to get funding from the community league to purchase Christmas lights for residents who didn’t have any. Hunter also reached out to friends who worked for Shaw Cable to help with the safe installation of the lights for residents who couldn’t do it themselves.
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“It’s hard to take, I’m not going to lie, because there are so many people involved in Candy Cane Lane, but I’m extremely happy because now it supports Candy Cane Lane in turn so all this attention is a good thing,” Hunter said.
Crestwood Community League Board president Diana Steele said Edmonton’s latest Top Cop has been instrumental in attracting volunteers for the city’s holiday tradition.
“They give every night and every weekend to putting up Christmas lights, standing outside in the freezing cold, stoking fires or helping build tents or putting up decorations on people’s homes that they don’t know, and that is all because they love Duane so much,” she said.
“He’s so dedicated to it so his passion spills out to everyone and then they want to help too.”
Hunter has also managed to find sustainable funding for the event since 2011, which has not only allowed the beloved tradition to continue but has added free warming tents, hot chocolate, fire pits, mascots and a decorated park.
“I probably get more out of Candy Cane Lane than I give because working there every day and seeing the families come down means everything to me,” he said.
READ MORE: Edmonton’s ‘Candy Cane Lane’ receives honorary name for its holiday decorations
2018 was Candy Cane Lane’s 50th anniversary, and the event was proclaimed a civic event by the City of Edmonton.
The Kiwanis Club has now recognized 43 Edmonton officers for their volunteer contributions to the city since 1976.