On Feb. 19 last year, Delta Police Const. Mo Parry was off-duty and heading north on Highway 17 when he came upon a serious two-vehicle collision at the overpass to Highway 99.
One of the vehicles was on fire and a passenger was screaming for help.
Two bystanders were trying to pull the man out of the passenger鈥檚 side window of the van, but his seatbelt was holding his legs, preventing the men from removing him from the vehicle.
The heat from the fire was becoming unbearable, and the passenger pleaded with would-be rescuers, saying his legs were being burned.
Parry leaned into the van and attempted to find the buckle to the seatbelt.
The smoke was too heavy to see, and as the heat intensified, Parry knew it may only be a matter of time before the van exploded.
Parry ran back to his truck to get a knife and some heavy gloves to cut the man free.
By the time he got back, the seatbelt had come loose.
He leaned into the van, pushing the passenger out of the window while the other two bystanders pulled.
After the man was free, Parry helped other emergency personnel in putting out the fire and covering up the other people who had perished in the accident.
Parry suffered some smoke inhalation, but nothing more serious.
His experience early last year is why Parry was given the Chief Constable Commendation, during the recent Delta Police Awards annual ceremony.
In another incident, Const. Kevin Dueck saw two men with bandanas on their faces and hoodies over their heads going into a 7-Eleven on April 5, 2010.
One of the men was carrying a pump action shotgun.
With his gun drawn, Dueck approached the men before they entered the convenience store.
The man with the shotgun fled on foot, while the other gave up.
Dueck apprehended the man who stayed, and found a replica handgun in his possession.
He called in the location and identification of the man who fled on foot, who was later arrested.
Dueck also received Chief Constable Commendation.
Several other Delta Police officers were recognized, not only for their individual actions, but for their success as teams in specific investigations.
For a full list of those honoured on Jan. 27, visit http://deltapolice.ca/media_releases/pdf/418.pdf
kdiakiw@surreyleader.com
