THUNDER BAY — Two officers were honoured by the Thunder Bay Police Services Board for outstanding performances and skill in the execution of their duties.
Const. Sharlene Bourdeau was off duty attending a community meeting in April. A woman started brandishing the handgun, and Bourdeau was able to get the weapon from her and confirm that it was not loaded.
The suspect did have loose ammunition in her pocket with the apparent intent of loading it. There was a physical altercation between the suspect and the constable and subsequently, the woman in question was arrested and charged. It was Bourdeau's actions and quick thinking that kept the situation from escalating further.
The second officer that was honoured at the meeting was Const. Evan Haywood. He was called to the James St. Bridge on an April evening after reports came in of pedestrians holding onto a person that was hanging from the bridge.
Haywood climbed over the railing of the bridge to get in a better position to help the woman who was hanging get safely back on solid ground. The officer did this without any harnesses or safety equipment and made these lifesaving decisions with no hesitation for his own personal well-being.
