BY KELLY ROCHE
When Maurice Clement saw a vehicle in flames – its driver trapped – along Mississauga Rd., he pulled over, ran to the burning car, and smashed the driver’s side window, pulling the victim to safety.
The vehicle went up in flames.
Clement and the victim were transported to hospital for smoke inhalation.
Police later discovered fire had begun in the engine’s electrical box, causing the door locks to seize.
The August 2015 rescue garnered honours for Clement at the Peel Police Service Board Awards Thursday evening.
“These are real life stories. This isn’t TV,” said Police Chief Jennifer Evans at the Mississauga Convention Centre.
Clement was among dozens of men and women in blue, and citizens, who were honoured for heroism.
They’re people “whose selfless acts of bravery and excellence deserve our praise and admiration,” said PSB chairman Amrik Singh Ahluwalia.
Const. Chris MacDonald is one of them. He proactively identified a Mississauga resident linked to a child porn case in July 2013.
The suspect was arrested, and MacDonald discovered photos and video of the accused’s two children.
To complicate matters, the materials documenting criminal activities were made in China.
MacDonald went to great lengths getting the Attorney General’s consent to charge for ‘out of jurisdiction’ offences under the Criminal Code travelling sex offender provisions.
The suspect was convicted two years later with a five-year prison sentence and placed on the sex offender registry for life.
Up in Brampton, Const. Aaron Cook had little time to react in March 2015 when he was sent to a medical call for a three-day-old baby who wasn’t breathing and had no pulse.
Cook happened to be in the area, responding within seconds of being dispatched.
He found the newborn girl with her frantic mother in the kitchen and began CPR until paramedics arrived and rushed her to hospital.
The infant began breathing on her own and had a strong pulse by the time she reached the emergency room.
That’s a place officer of the year, Const. Elaine Fowler, knows well.
The 14-year veteran has worked in street crime and major drugs and vice. She now educates community members about drug awareness and human trafficking.
Media awards were also distributed, with the QEW South Post receiving the best social media honour.
qewsouthpost.com 