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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 26, 2016 | 20 Teamwork helps keep Halton a safe community continued from p.6 "It's always been a part of me. Whenever anybody has needed help, I've always done what I could." Another award went to crossing guard Cherrie Atwell, who on June 15 in Halton Hills, jumped in front of a large pickup truck as it made a quick right turn, nearly running over several young children crossing the street. Atwell's actions were credited with getting the driver's attention and getting the truck to stop. Lifeguards Meagan Wilson and Cassandra Morgado were recognized for saving the life of a 10-year-old girl found unconscious in the deep end of a swimming pool at a private pool party in Milton last June. The young women pulled the victim from the pool and performed CPR until an ambulance arrived. The 10-year-old has since made a full recovery. "There is no doubt that if it were not for the quick, lifesaving measures provided by the two lifeguards, Meagan and Cassandra, this incident would have ended tragically," said Halton Police spokesperson Sgt. Chantal Corner. Other civilian award recipients included Riley Rolfe, who brought a stolen motorcycle to the attention of police, and pharmacy owner Samir Patel, who participated in a Halton police prescription drug drop-off program. The Oakville Beaver netted two media awards. Beaver Sub-editor John Bkila was recognized in the Best Crime Story category for 2015 for his article Missing Children's Day -- still searching for Darlene and Jan. It discussed Halton police's recognition of Missing Children's Day and its dedication to cold cases, like the disappearance of 16-year-old Darlene Tucker of Oakville and her friend, Jinisina `Jan' Stonehouse, more than 30 years ago. Beaver Reporter David Lea received an award in the 2015 Best Feature Story category for his article Baby saved at grocery store. The story chronicles an April 19, 2015 incident in which the quick actions of a Halton police officer saved the life of a six-week-old infant boy, who had suddenly stopped breathing during a trip to the grocery store. Metroland West Media Photographer Nikki Wesley won for Best Feature Photo for an image she snapped at the Halton Regional Police Service's Special Friends Day at Country Heritage Park in June 2015. It features a young man kissing a Halton's auxiliary officer on the cheek. Sue Sgambati of CBC received an award for Best Television News Story for her report on the disappearance of Janis Ozollapa. Thirty-three Halton police officers and one cadet were also recognized with awards. Officers with the Tactical Rescue Unit (TCU) -- Sgt. David Tutte, and Constables Zoltan Darabos, Cyrus Irani, Ronald Ferlin, Joseph Davis and David Mennie -- were recognized for their actions during a Burlington incident on Oct. 2 in which a woman contacted police stating she had a knife to her daughter's neck. The woman had called 911 threatening to kill her daughter if police, ambulance and television news team didn't come to her apartment. Uniformed officers at the scene unsuccessfully attempted to talk the woman down. "The Tactical Rescue Unit (TRU) was called and established a perimeter as the situation inside got worse and a great deal of yelling could be heard inside. As screaming escalated, the TRU team felt there was potential for the loss of life and decided to force entry into the apartment when the daughter broke away and opened the door screaming for help," said Corner. "Const. Darabos forced entry into the home and confronted the mother, who had her arm around her daughter's neck while holding the 12-inch butcher knife. The mother yelled and screamed at officers that she was going to stab her daughter. The daughter dropped to the ground giving officers the opportunity to deploy their (TASERS) subduing the hostage-taker." Other officers were awarded for stopping troubled residents from harming themselves while others were recognized for successful investigations into drug and fraud rings. Det. Michael Leighton, Detective Constables Jason Briand, Michael Tidball, and Lee Wood, and Constables Matthew Baker and Jennifer Wozny were recognized for making an arrest after a series of 2015 arsons in the Palermo area. The incidents includes grass fires and the destruction of a storage barn near St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre, an abandoned heritage farmhouse and shed in Bronte Creek Provincial Park. Corner said the total damage from these fires was approximately $2 million. "Investigators identified a person of interest along with possible targets for future fires," said Corner. "Officers set up proactive patrols in these identified areas and were successful in locating the person of interest who was subsequently arrested. Alexandre Lemelin, 28, of Oakville faces five counts of arson in relation to these incidents. Other award recipients include: · Const. Drew Scott -- Distinguished and Dedicated Service Award · Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Dunham and Const. Robert Leggate -- Chief's Commendation for Policing Excellence recipients · Cadet James Walsh -- Award of ExcellenceSupport Services · Det. Const. Calvin Bulbrook -- Award of Excellence-Innovation · Const. Maureen Andrew -- Award of Excellence- Community Service · Const. David Nagy; and Det. Const. Derek DiFelice, Tom Purchase, Derek Wilson; Paul Foley; Anita Laframboise; Adam Bendiks; Jay Kenzaki; David Shanly; Mirko Pavic; Colin Kilfeather; Michael Rotsma; Candido Moniz and Ronald Wright -- Award of Excellence, Criminal Investigation. Thank you. Together, we raised an incredible $ 55,000! It takes $1 a day to feed a child a breakfast, this money will us to feed a lot of Halton students. From the Halton Food for Thought Board of Directors, Staff, Volunteers and Students, we thanks you for being a part of our Spring Breakfast Gala and for bringing us one step closer to a Halton Region where no student goes hungry at school! Aryzta Bakery Ray Khana Eagle Press Printers