Veterans Honoured with King’s Medals

Four Toronto Police members who served in military assignments overseas were recipients of the King Charles III Coronation Medals on November 11.

They are Superintendent Tyrone Hilton, Sergeants John Lo Bianco and Doug Suphlis and Constable Matthew Scarlino.

“You represent what is the best of all of us,” said Chief Myron Demkiw who presented the medals. “Your commitment to service and excellence are things for us to follow, emulate and replicate. Thank you for setting an example for all of us.”

The medals are awarded to Canadians who have made significant contributions to their community and have brought honour to Canada.

Selected by Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon, the recipients embody excellence, service and leadership.

As the Ceremonial Unit Commander, Hilton spent countless hours attending events and training others to perform ceremonial police duties. He also has been active in fundraising efforts for the 7th Toronto Regiment’s soldiers fund and Wounded Warrior’s Canada.

Now retired from policing, Surphlis, the Vice-President of the Warriors’ Day Council, was instrumental in launching a First Responder program to identify veterans in crisis and provide mental health resources. He is also an executive with the Toronto Police Military Veterans Association.

In the last decade, Lo Bianco fundraised and organized events and social functions to keep military veterans connected for their wellbeing. Many of these veterans are now seniors and have difficulty travelling on their own, all of which was accounted for in the planning of the events.

As the official historian of the Toronto Police Military Veterans Association, Scarlino has conducted extensive research into the lived experiences of fallen police officers in the two world wars.

“This award is significant because it was created to honour community service,” Scarlino noted. “The work that Toronto Police Military Veterans do is in line with the award because we try to honour our veterans, honour our history and support different veterans programs.”