Recognizing Protective Services heroism
In a noon-hour ceremony on June 8, Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen presented officers Candice Nolan and Bryan Melnychuk with a St. Paul’s Hospital Distinguished Service Award and recognized officers Lee Cowles and Amra Martin for their exemplary actions in handling a potentially life-threatening situation.
“With their immediate and brave response, the officers kept all of us safe from a potential harm that presented itself,” said Tracey Muggli, Executive Director, St. Paul’s Hospital, expressing her gratitude to the officers for their bravery and commitment.
In February 2022, an individual approached the St. Paul’s Hospital emergency room with an explosive device. Protective Services officers were on the scene, immediately stopped him and worked together to gain control over the person and the device. These actions were undertaken not knowing whether the explosive device was active or not.
Russ Laidlaw, Interim Director, Protective Services, explained that without their swift action, the entire hospital and even surrounding area would have been shut down, the emergency department might have been evacuated and panic could have evolved.
“They certainly demonstrated stewardship, focusing on results in doing what needed to be done to get the job done,” Jean Morrison, CEO, Emmanuel Health said, adding the Protective Services officers also demonstrated accountability to the job, having respect for all, and a commitment to valuing every person, “Acting with integrity and high moral principles” to look after those around them. “You put the well-being of others before your own well-being, and I am very proud to be one of your colleagues,” Morrison said.
Thanking the four officers for their heroism, the Bishop also acknowledged so many others at the Catholic hospital, “Who are sharing in the shepherding role of Christ.”
All four have also been awarded the Saskatoon Police Chief’s Community Service Award and their names have been submitted for consideration for the Order of Canada Bravery Medal.
Protective Services plays an important and difficult role here at St. Paul’s Hospital. We are grateful not only for their actions during this incident, but for the dozens of times every day that they help to maintain security and safety in the building.