Two Squamish-based conservation officers were honoured last week — one for exemplary service, one for saving a person’s life in the line of duty.
Insp. Chris Doyle was one of 10 members of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service to receive the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal during a ceremony in Victoria on Friday (May 2). The 10 officers, who were in the capital for recertification training, were honoured for 20 years of exemplary service.
Cst. Simon Gravel, meanwhile, was recognized with the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers’ 2013 Lifesaving Award for having rescued a woman who fell off her paddleboard and into Howe Sound last May near Porteau Cove.
Gravel on Tuesday (May 6) said the woman did not have a personal flotation device when she fell off her board on May 7, 2013. Because of the cold water, the wind and the currents, the woman was unable to reach her board and was struggling to stay afloat when he and Howe Sound Secondary School student Tyler Retty came upon her.
At the time, Retty was shadowing Gravel on a work-experience exercise.
“Her partner was trying to come back but facing the wind, it was not very easy for him,” Gravel said of the victim. “So when we saw her out there, we got there as soon as we could because she was in distress and not very long from going down.
“She didn’t have a lifejacket and her board was drifting away from her. She was a fairly strong swimmer, but in cold water, it limits your ability to swim. We were just in the right place at the right time, so it was her lucky day that we were there fairly quickly.”
Gravel said he was honoured to have received the award from B.C. Environment Minister Mary Polak in the presence of his peers.
Three years ago, Doyle — a long-time Squamish resident — earned a promotion to the rank of inspector with the C.O. Service. He now serves in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley in addition to the Sea to Sky Corridor.
“I’m proud to receive the award and proud to have served communities in the Sea to Sky Corridor to protect the environment and to protect public safety,” he said.
