WIIITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25. 1985, PAGE 15 Honored by Durham Regional Police.... Five Whitby residents given awards for heroje actiLons By SUSAN LESJAK Free Press Staff Five Whitby citizens were honored last Frlday night by the Durham Regional Police Force for their herolc and humanitarian service to the community. The ceremnony, held at the Bowmanville Lions Centre, . was given on behall of more than 30 citizens and police of- ficers in the region, who have demonstrated ex- traordinary citizenship ln the past year. Edward Smith, a retired Whitby firefighter, was honored. for preventing a woman from committing suicide.. The young woman was standing on the third level of a parking garage prepared to jump when Smith saw her. By talking to the woman and gaining her confidence, Smith managed to approach the woman and pull her to safety. Also commended for coming to the rescue of a woman in trouble was Gray Blaçk. The Whitby Const. John Vandenburg of Whitby's 18 Division of the Durham Regional Police is seen here marching up to Deputy Chief Dave Edwards (behind the salute at left) to accept a commendation. The officer was cited for his role in apprehending three persons who were later charged with first degree murder. Looking on as he receives a standing ovation is Mayor Bob Attersley, chairman of the Durham Regional Police Commission. Free Press Staff Photo Force coinmends officer whose quick thinking led to arrest of murder suspects Durham Regional Police Constable John Vandenburg was among several off icers last week to receive special commendation for ex- cellent police work in the past year. The Whitby division officer was loudly ap- plauded at the region's annual awards ceremony Friday, for his role in solving a par- ticularly brutal murder earlier in the year. The policeman was on routine patrol last Mar- ch, when he became suspicious of three per- sons parked at a 7-11 store in Whitby. After approaching the car and asking the occupants for identification, Vanden- burg called for police assistance. Further investigation of the car revealed a sawed-of f shotgun and ammunition as well as a hole in the roof of the car, believed to have been the result of a shotgun blast. The three parties weapon charges. Subsequent in- vestigation led to the March il discovery of the body of a man killed by a shotgun blow to the head. The three persons noticed by Vandenburg earlier that month, were ultimately charged with the murder of the slain man. a salesclerk's cry for help, resulted in the ap- prehension of a robber who had entered the floriat shop in whlch the clerk had been working and stolen money fromn the till. Black was successful in catching the suspect and holding him until the police arrived. As a result of Black's action, Durham Regional Police were able to solve this rob- bery and one other similar one. Brian Hill and Myron Yaceyko were also praised for apprehen- ding and turning over to the police a maie whom they caught emptying mail from mailboxes in Oshawa. They chased the suspect over fences and througb backyards and upon apprehending the man, drove him, with the help of Yaceyko and two other friends, to the police station. Also recognized for apprehending a suspect was Fred Atlas. The grocery store employee gave chase to a thief who had stolen a shop- per's purse. After chasing and catching the suspect, Atlas returned hima to the store and held him until the police arrived. The woman's purse was recovered. Deputy Chief Gerry R<obinson presents award to Edward Smith Bob Attersley congratulates Gray Black r 60< THAT'S ALL Just 60c ... is alyour Free Press carrier will be as king you for ... 601, for a whole rnonth of home delivery of your local newspaper. This voluntary pqyment is the best bargain in town. No other newspape costss 80 utile and offers so much 10 local residents. And even if you don't want to contri bute we1l deliveryour newspaper a ywy. ' Your 60' payment may flot seem lLke very much money, but it means a lot to your carrier and to us. Youir carrier earns mor money and as a result is more properly reicarded for a job iveli done. Your local newspaper benefits through defrayed circulation cosis and happier carriers. Anl you benefit bs, supporting and helping iv maîntain vour very own truly local nevspaper. P.S, You <'an iin t'aluable prizes also! So iclzen vour carrier says 'TreIPress~ calling"yonj'll knoit ichai t' aIl about amita ou inY is going 10 be ivell spent. WHIBYFREE PRES 131 Brock Street North Whitby 668-6111 C:7