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w w w . o a kv ill eb ea ve r.c o m O A KV IL LE B EA V ER Fr id ay , D ec em be r 1 7, 2 01 0 8 By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Two Halton Regional Police Service constables were recognized with the Governor Generals Commendation, Thursday, for their heroic actions in sav- ing the life of a suicidal woman in Oakville. Constables Rick Dodds and Cole Repta, both members of the Halton police Tactical Rescue Unit (TRU), were among several officers who responded to a call at an Oakville apartment building, on June 28, 2009. Neighbours had heard the woman in a fourth floor apartment screaming dur- ing the morning. Fearing for her safety, they called police. When police arrived at the womans door she threatened to throw herself off her balcony, which she could have done very easily because the balcony railing had recently been removed for repairs. As two negotiators tried to talk the woman down, Dodds and Repta got into position on the buildings roof and prepared to rappel down to the balcony. They were given the command to descend because the negotiators realized the woman was not reacting to them at all and would in fact jump and try and take her life, said Halton Police Chief Gary Crowell. When the negotiators briefly got the woman away from the balconys edge, Dodds and Repta rappelled down to the balcony at which point they and other officers subdued the woman. She was taken to hospital for treatment. Crowell said in order to reach the woman in time, both Dodds and Repta had skipped some safety pre- cautions normally taken when rappelling and risked their own lives to save another. During the brief recognition ceremony at the Halton Regional Police Service headquarters, Crowell read a letter from the office of the Governor General congratulating Dodds and Repta for their lifesaving work. On behalf of her Excellency Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, I am pleased to inform you that a Certificate of Commendation has been awarded to you in recognition of your actions in pre- venting a distraught woman from jumping from her fourth floor balcony in Oakville, read Crowell. Your selfless actions are an inspiration to others and represent a high form of citizenship of which you can be very proud. The Governor General extends her warmest congratulations. After receiving their Certificates of Commendation from Crowell, both Dodds and Repta took a moment to say a few words about the special recognition. Its an honour, said Repta. It was a team effort like everything we do, but sometimes its good to be recognized for your individual efforts. I couldnt have done it without Rick. For Dodds that June incident was just another day on the job. Police officers do a lot everyday and a lot of the time we dont get recognized for what we do, he said. Like Cole said it wasnt just him and I that did this. We had our full team there. Somebody had to dispatch us, somebody had to tell us to go over the edge. So were just happy to be here today. In 1993 former Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn approved the creation of the Certificate of Commendation to be issued to those who have made a significant contribution by providing assistance to another person in a selfless manner. The Certificate of Commendation is signed by the Governor General and is intended for candidates whose actions are deemed notable by the Canadian Decorations Advisory Committee. The commendation is not automatic; eligible candidates are selected through a voting process. TRU team members commended for saving suicidal woman NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER COMMENDATIONS: Halton Police Constables Rick Dodds and Cole Repta (centre, l-r) are congratulated by by Halton Police Chief Gary Crowell (left) and Halton Regional Police Service Board Chair Bob Maich on receiving the Governor Generals Commendation. It was a team effort like everything we do, but sometimes its good to be recognized for your individual efforts. Halton Regional Police Constable Rick Dodds