Lifesaving Efforts By Officers

Constable David Hill and other officers were faced with frigid waters when a man tried to end his life in Ashbridge’s Bay last October.

With the victim venturing out into the frigid water, they had to decide if they should wait for the Marine Unit or jump into the water. They chose to put their own lives on the line right away.

“The man was without clothing and heading further out into the water when we got there,” said Hill who, with his 55 Division colleagues, were honoured on October 25 by St. John Ambulance, an organization that provides First Aid training and promotes health and safety across the country. “We tried speaking to him to gain his trust, but that was to no avail. He was adamant he would hurt himself.”

Hill said they informed the Marine Unit of their exact location before he and few officers went into the water.

“We managed to subdue him and take him to hospital,” said Hill. “It was just great teamwork that enabled us to save a life.”

Constable Nicole Mangos, who has been on the job for just over a year, was also one of the officers who braved the cold water.

“I didn’t want to scare him, so I had to be careful as we got closer to him,” she said. “I am glad I was able to be part of a team that was able to save someone.”

Superintendent Neil Corrigan attended the event to show gratitude to two of his 14 Division officers who went above and beyond the line of duty.

“It’s really heartwarming when our officers go out of their way to save lives,” he said. “It just demonstrates that our officers are really extraordinary people.”

While on her first day of vacation in Mexico last year, Constable Olga Daydova jumped into action after a woman fell from a balcony.

“I was taking photos outside when I heard a thud and when I turned around, I saw a female without clothes on the ground,” she recalled.

Daydova performed CPR and stabilized the victim until paramedics arrived.

Constable Marie-Josee Fournier was in her scout car heading back to 14 Division when a call came over the radio that a man was having a heart attack.

“I realized I was very close, so I drove up to the building, parked my car and ran upstairs,” she said. “There were two people trying to find a pulse and they said he wasn’t breathing.”

Fournier performed CPR and revived the victim until paramedics arrived.