Excellence in Service – Fredericton Police Force

Medal of Bravery On Friday the 7th June 2013, John Lamkey and Troy Wilcox from the Fredericton Fire Department and Brian Carmichael and Matt Myers from the Fredericton Police Force attended Rideau Hall in Ottawa to receive the Medal of Bravery from Governor General David Johnston. They were awarded the honour for their actions in an attempted rescue that took place in Fredericton on the 15th August 2009. At that time a single motor vehicle left Saint Annes Point Drive and plunged into the Saint John River. Over a dozen emergency services personal then responded to the scene including members of the Fredericton Police Force and Fire Department, Ambulance NB and a local towing company. The rescue team then conducted a search for the submerged vehicle for approximately 25 minutes before it was located and pulled from the river. Tragically Matthew Swan, Joseph Bourque and Jesse Schur died at the scene. A fourth occupant, Leah Clowater survived when she managed to escape from the vehicle after the impact and swim to shore. When asked for their comments about receiving the award, members stated that they were humbled, but had very mixed emotions about it. They went on to explain that the loss of life that night had a tremendous impact on numerous families and that is something that they will never forget.

This is the award for the officers saving the women in the Saint John River, as the vehicle was sinking and she was trapped. January 2012 Shirley Foster, 73, called 911 and told the operator her car had skidded off the highway, down an embankment onto the ice in Maugerville and was beginning to sink. Four Fredericton Police officers received Commanding Officer Commendations, Tuesday, for the daring cold water rescue of a woman whose car plunged into the icy St. John River last January. Officers include: (from left to right) Cpl. Dwight Doyle, Cst. Jeff Smiley, Cst. Faron MacDonald and Cst. Samantha McInnis.