Two honoured by Optimists

The Optimist Club of Georgetown recently recognized two individuals for outstanding service to Halton Hills with Respect For Law awards. The club annually recognizes Halton Regional Police officers but this year also recognized the efforts of a member of the public for her courage during a criminal incident. This year's honorees were Staff Sgt. Don Cousens and citizen Karen Denuzzo. Denuzzo was honoured for her efforts in tending to a stabbing victim and aiding in the arrest of the suspect. On January 26, while driving on Main St. near Cedarvale Park Denuzzo observed a disturbance in the park involving a large group of youths. In an attempt to quell the disturbance with her presence as an adult, the registered nurse approached the youths only to be told that a young man had been stabbed. She was also told that the person responsible for the stabbing was about to leave the scene with several other youths in a vehicle. Denuzzo positioned her vehicle in the path of the fleeing vehicle in an effort to prevent the suspect's escape. She then got out of her car and without concern for her own safety, ordered the youths to get out of their car. At the same time she realized the victim of the stabbing needed immediate medical aid. As the suspect vehicle left the scene, Denuzzo had two of the remaining youths memorize the licence plate number while she provided first-aid for the victim and drove him to hospital for further medical treatment. Police were called and because of the information provided, apprehended a suspect soon after. Cousens, who joined Halton Police in 1977 as a cadet, was honoured for his years of service to Halton Hills. He was promoted to constable in 1978 and served in uniform patrol in Halton Hills until 1982 when he was transferred to the Recruitment and Training Bureau. In 1987 the Georgetown resident was promoted to the rank of sergeant and was assigned as the supervisor for the Tactical and Rescue Unit and Firearms Training. Between 1993-1995, Cousens worked in the Criminal Investigations Bureau in District 1 (Halton Hills and Milton) before being reassigned to the Regional Intelligence Bureau where he served from 1996 to 2000. In 2000 he was promoted to staff sergeant and spent a short time as a platoon commander. Shortly after being promoted he was named Detective Sergeant in charge of the Criminal Investigations Bureau for District 1. He remained in that position until 2005 when he was appointed Administrative Staff Sergeant for District 1. Cousens recently left District 1 to become Emergency Services commander, overseeing the daily operation of the Tactical Rescue Unit, K9 Services, and the Explosives Disposal Unit.

Halton Regional Police Inspector Ron Welsh (left) congratulates Karen Denuzzo and Staff Sergeant Don Cousens after the pair recently received Respect For Law awards from the Optimist Club of Georgetown. The club annually recognizes Halton officers for outstanding service but this year also recognized the efforts Denuzzo, a private citizen, for her assistance during a stabbing incident at Cedarvale Park. Denuzzo, a registered nurse, not only tended to the victim, but also helped police in making a quick arrest by getting two youths to memorize the licence plate of a car carrying the suspect.