Coast Guard Crew, Member or Auxiliary of the Year:
Green Crew - John Grove, Mike Martens, Brad Falconer, Mike Lydiatt, Mike Hawley and Marc Rowe
In the early morning of Aug. 5, leading seaman John Grove was conducting his security rounds of Sea Island Base, following a busy night responding to incidents associated with the Symphony of Fire.
While on his rounds he heard a faint call from a person, incoherent moans coming from somewhere south of the Base.
Grove quickly mustered the rest of the crew to investigate.
In the darkness of the channel, they found an adult man floating face up in a confused state of mind - too cold to think clearly or move his arms and legs.
The BC Ambulance Service was called for transport assistance. The coast guard crew treated the man for hypothermia and exposure.
The efforts of the crew on duty that morning showcased vigilance and thorough attention to detail. They absolutely saved a man's life that day.
Community Safety Volunteer of the Year:
Richmond RCMP Victim Services Unit
In 2012, the Richmond Detachment Victim Services Unit had 150 calls.
This included incidents of kidnapped children, fatal motor vehicle accidents, a plane crash, homicides, sudden deaths, major fires, hostage takings and, sadly, the death of a co-worker.
Victim Services is comprised of three full-time staff, five auxiliary part-time staff and 15 volunteers who logged over 5,520 volunteer hours in 2012.
The unit works with community partners to ensure all of their clients get the help they need to recover from often horrific life-altering circumstances.
The unit provides vital assistance in the form of face-to-face crisis intervention, community resource referrals, public education and ongoing support through the court processes.
It is there to ease an individual through difficult and stressful times with their expertise and caring support, and can make all the difference during the most challenging times in one's life.
Community Safety Award of Valour:
William Easton, Coast Mountain bus driver
On June 26, 2012, the Richmond RCMP received a 911 call from a male victim who had been held at gunpoint by two unknown male suspects.
They had robbed him of his cell phone, computer and cash.
Descriptions of the suspects were broadcast to various police and public agencies, including the Greater Vancouver Transit Authority.
William Easton, a driver for Coast Mountain Bus Company, upon hearing the descriptions, reported to 911 he had picked up two males matching the descriptions. They were in possession of the computer.
Easton delayed the two males from exiting the bus at the next stop by pretending the back door was broken and could not be opened.
After a delayed exit, he kept sight of the suspects until they disappeared into an adjacent casino.
Easton's reporting of the suspects and quick thinking contributed greatly to their apprehension, the recovery of the victim's stolen property and a replica firearm used in the robbery.
