Diane Herzog (middle) stands with Sask. Lt. Governor Russell Mirasty (left) and Donna Mirasty. (submitted photo/Janine Herzog)

By Nigel Maxwell

posthumous award

Respected corrections officer recognized with Queen’s medal

Jan 30, 2023 | 5:00 PM

A man tragically killed while on his way to work at Saskatchewan Penitentiary is among the latest recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Prior to his death last April, 64-year-old Keith Herzog worked in corrections for the better part of 18 years. His wife Diane was in Saskatoon last Thursday to accept the medal that recognized the long time service.

“It was truly an honour and the only thing is I wish he had been here to receive it himself. I’m sure he was in spirit,” she said.

Diane explained her husband, who she described as a people person, had a lot of passion for what he did and helped a lot of people, adding he never looked down on anybody for being in prison as he understood many come from a different walk of life.

“A lot of them didn’t have a chance and didn’t have the knowledge of working with their hands like doing carpentry work or mechanical work,” she said.

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One of Herzog’s proudest accomplishments at Saskatchewan Penitentiary was teaching a trades related course for bobcats, and dozens of inmates went through it.

“He was a humble man but if somebody didn’t know how to do something, he taught them and helped them the best he could,” Diane said.

Correctional Service of Canada recipients. (submitted photo/Janine Herzog)

On the morning of April 4, 2022, Prince Albert RCMP were called to Highway 263 and Okema Beach Road between a car and a pick-up truck collided.

Herzog, the driver and lone occupant of the car, was declared dead at the scene.

The occupant, or occupants, of the second vehicle, a white 2001GMC Sierra, left on foot before police arrived and have not been found. Investigators determined the truck was reported stolen from Leask the day prior.

Noting the number of holidays and family events that have passed without her husband, Diane said the RCMP have done a good job keeping her updated on the investigation.

“It’s hard to think he was taken and it’s in somebody’s hands and they are not being held accountable for it right now but one way or the other they have to meet their maker,” she said.

Anyone with information about the crash is encouraged to contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell