Twenty-three acts of bravery and lifesaving in B.C. were honoured at Surrey Police headquarters on Friday afternoon, Oct. 24.
Stories involving fiery highway crashes, beach rescues, house fires and medical emergencies were among those told during an annual ceremony hosted by the B.C. chapter of Royal Canadian Humane Association (RCHA), a group that honours ordinary Canadians.
The dangerous incidents happened in Surrey, Castlegar, Hilliers, Langley, Kamloops, Osoyoos, Nelson and Maple Ridge over the past year or two, three in one case.
Each of award-recipients were given certificates and, in some cases, medals by Surrey Police chief Norm Lipinski.
Their stories are told below in biographies sent by RCHA:
Jatinder Brar, Tavis McCarty, Khush Kanwal Singh Mann, Amandeep Bajwa, Mia Li and Drew Beardmore
On Jan. 11, 2025, three people including a two-year-old child, were pulled from a fiery crash under the Port Man Bridge in Surrey, on Highway 17. Jatinder Brar, Tavis McCarty and Khush Mann rushed to the vehicle that was engulfed in fire, broke the windows and managed to pull the occupants from the burning vehicle to safety. Both adult victims suffered major injuries, but the two-year-old remained unscathed. Amandeep Kaur, Mia Li and Drew Beardmore assisted throughout this incident, comforted and kept the victims safe and warm until EMS arrived. If not for the quick and courageous actions of Jatinder Brar, Tavis McCarty and Khush Mann, none would have survived. For courage, alertness and decisive actions in saving a lives, Jatinder Brar, Tavis McCarty and Khush Maan are awarded the Bronze Medals for bravery. Amandeep Bajwa, Mia Li and Drew Beardmore are awarded Honourary Testimonials.
Police constables Jared Cebryk, Gideon Damong and Manpreet Nijjar
On June 11, 2025, constables Cebryk, Damong and Nijjar arrived at a residence in Surrey where two vehicles were completely engulfed in flames that spread to the residence. Const. Damong ran to the back of the house and made entry by kicking down the door. Cebryk and Nijjar crawled through a small opening to make entry into the residence. An elderly lady who had difficulty walking was discovered inside and carried out of the burning home by Cebryk and Damong with the assistance of Nijjar. Cebryk made a second entry into the burning home to search for additional occupants. None were found. If it were not for the heroic, quick and decisive actions of Cebryk, Damong and Nijjar, a life would have most certainly been lost. For their courageous and skillful actions in preventing injury and saving a life, a Golf Medal for Bravery is awarded to Cebryk; Silver Medals for Bravery are awarded to Damong and Nijjar.
Cody Vernon and Douglas Gill
On Aug. 26, 2025, near Maple Ridge, Cody Vernon, who was working on a highway widening project, heard a loud bang and observed that a truck had been struck by a train. Vernon dropped his tools and immediately ran to the collision yelling for someone to phone 911. He observed a body laying in a fetal position approximately one from the burning vehicle. Vernon quickly took control of the scene and acted. Bystanders were reluctant to assist due to the heavy smoke and flames but Vernon ran across the tracks, over a fence and through bushes. Once he reached the unconscious man, he obtained the help of Douglas Gill to carry the injured man to safety despite the heavy smoke and fire. The man was transported to the hospital and survived but with major injuries. For their heroic actions, Cody Vernon is awarded a Gold Medal for Bravery and Douglas Gill is awarded a Silver Medal Bravery.
Colby Weinraugh and John Guillemette
On Sept. 5, 2024, near Nelson, Colby Weinrauch came across a single-vehicle accident with the driver still inside the burning vehicle. Colby immediately ran towards the vehicle broke the window and with the assistance of John Guillemette pulled the unconscious injured man from the vehicle to safety. If not for the heroic actions of Colby Weinrauch and the assistance of John Buillemette, the driver would have certainly perished. Colby Weinrauch is awarded a Gold Medal for Bravery, John Guillemette a Bronze Medal for Bravery.
Liam Harder
On Sept. 12, 2023, Liam Harder was awakened in the early morning by a loud crashing sound outside his home in Castlegar, B.C. Liam saw a fire across the street and another fire near a vehicle parked in his neighbor’s residence. Laim woke up his father and told him to phone 911 grabbing a fire extinguisher rushing towards the fire. Laim was able to extinguish the fires. His quick actions potentially saved the lives of the father and young son who were sleeping inside the residence. For his heroic actions in preventing death, injuries and or property damage, Liam Harder is awarded the Bronze Medal for Bravery.
Stacy Duchscher and Kim Duchscher
On Feb. 26 in Hilliers, B.C, Stacy and Kim Duchscher observed thick smoke coming from their neighbours residence. Kim Duchscher ran to the back porch and climbed up the stairs to look into the residence yelling to see if anyone was in the residence. Stacy Duchscher, who was wearing a prosthetic leg, approached the home and could hear someone asking for help. Under heavy smoke the Duchschers assisted an elderly person from the home after making several attempts to get her from the home. The Duchschers were successful in rescuing the elderly lady from the home where she was transported to hospital. If not for the heroic actions of Stacy and Kim Duchscherer to save the life of the elderly occupant of the burning home, she would have perished. For their heroic actions in saving a life, Stacy and Kim Duchscher are awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery.
Cadet Jai Vansh Behl
On Oct. 16, 2022, in Langley, Jai Vansh Behl selflessly risked his life while attempting to gain control of a vehicle after the driver experienced an incapacitating medical emergency. If not for the alertness and courage of Jai Behl, injuries or potentially a death may have occurred. He was awarded a Bronze Medal of Bravery for his actions in saving a life.
Robert Griffiths
On July 8, 2024, Robert Griffiths observed two young men jump off the end of the seaplane dock in Kamloops. One of the young men was in immediate distress, he was bobbling up and flailing his arms. The second young man was attempting to help him but was in distress himself. Robert ran down the dock yelling for someone to phone 911 before jumping into the water. Robert, with much difficulty, as both young men were struggling and near drowning. With heroic efforts, Robert Griffith finally got both young men to shore. For Robert Griffith’s quick, decisive, and courageous actions in saving lives, he is awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery.
Kyle Boudreau, Jacqueline Boudreau and Derek Martin
On Aug. 4, 2024, Kyle and Jacqueline Boudreau, along with their friend Derek Martin, were enjoying the water in Osoyoos on their new boat when the wind suddenly picked up. They decided to go ashore when they observed three people in the water frantically waiving their hands for help. It was clear that they needed help as the wind and waves were taking them deeper into the lake and further from shore. They started to move their boat towards them and observed the two adults were not wearing life jackets although a small child was. It was clear that the small child was about to drown as her head kept dropping under water. Jacqueline Boudreau maneuvered the boat closer, and Kyle Boudreau and Derek Martin jumped into the water. Heavy winds and high seas made the rescue dangerous and difficult but all 3 of the persons in the water were brought onto the boat and successfully taken to shore. If it were not for the quick and skillful actions of Kyle and Jacqueline Boudreau and Derek Martin, there would have certainly be loss of life due to drowning. For his heroic, skillful actions in saving lives, Kyle Boudreau and Derek Martin are awarded the Bronze Medals for Bravery. Jacqueline Boudreau is awarded an Honourary Testimonial.
Const. Michael Power and Const. Jeremy Bolderson
On Sept. 20, 2025 in Surrey, Power and Bolderson responded to a call of two paddleboarders in distress at Crescent Beach. When they arrived, they observed paddleboarders in distress due to increasing winds and currents. They also observed that only one of them was wearing a lifejacket. The two police constables borrowed two paddleboards plus a lifejacket and paddled to the two persons in distress. They assisted them getting back to shore safely. For their actions in potential saving lives from drowning, Power and Bolderson are awarded Honourary Testimonials.