Protective services officers recognized for years of service

Saskatchewan’s provincial secretary Wayne Elhard was also on hand at the ceremony.

“I think this is an outstanding opportunity to just let the folks who provide safety and security to our communities to let them know how much we appreciate the work they put in on our behalf. There are a lot of challenges around this type of work, we all depend on the fire, police and other protective services agencies for our well-being and it’s time to recognize many of the participants with this 25 year service,” Elhard said.

“Not many people service 25 years in one job at all anymore but a number of positions we’ve recognized today are actually volunteer positions, so to have that length of service, that commitment to one’s community over that length of time is pretty special,” Elhard said.

At the ceremony, Saskatchewan conservation officer Justin Knackstedt was recognized.

Knackstedt tragically lost his life when he was hit by a vehicle while helping RCMP with an accident outside of Saskatoon.

A moment of silence for Knackstedt was held before the medals were handed out.

“We felt this was an appropriate opportunity for us to just pause and recognize his young life that was ended so tragically in an accident. A number of the people here today would have been people who might have worked with him or at least a part of the same service. I think given the camaraderie that exists between the various agencies represented here today it was an appropriate time to recognize his contribution, although too early,” Elhard said.

Community Members Recognized

Pat Bellisle, who works with Parkland Ambulance and is a part of the Saskatchewan Emergency Medical Services Association, was also honoured Monday for his 38 years of service.

“To be recognized for your service for the province is truly an honour, as well as being recognized with these distinguished individuals as well,” Bellisle said.

Bellisle worked for 12 and a half years in Alberta before moving to Saskatchewan and serving another 26 years here.

Parkland Ambulance’s Lyle Karasiuk also received a medal for his 27 years of service.

“To be recognized … is a remarkable achievement. When I started out 27 years ago I highly doubted I would have achieved this. It’s been a remarkable career and I’m still very active, I still enjoy what I do, I’m looking forward to many more years,” Karasiuk said.

“As I was telling someone earlier I was saying we’ve set a bench or a bar ahead for those up and coming paramedics and not to say it’s a bar that’s unachievable for them but it’s a bar I think they will over exceed in the coming years,” Karasiuk continued.

He said he’s very honoured and appreciative of the recognition he’s received from the province.

Karasiuk said there are lots of things that stick out over his 27 years of service.

“I can still remember the very first call I did in the city. I can remember honestly getting sick on the call and thinking to myself, ‘is this really what I want to do?’ There’s been often high points where we’ve done remarkable things in our life saving ability, there’s been low points where you often wonder, ‘do I want to get up in the morning’ and those sorts of troubles. But I think back on a career that has gone on for 27 years and think ‘wow it’s been really fast, it’s been really rewarding,’” Karasiuk said.

Karasiuk wishes all protective services officers all the best and all the success that him and his colleagues have been recognized for on Monday.

Prince Albert’s Police Chief Troy Cooper also received the medal, along with Prince Albert Police Service’s Staff Sergeant David Schluff and Sergeant Berry Wauters.

Recipients

Mark Anderson – Correctional Services Canada

Tyrone Andrychuk – Ministry of Environment

Bernie Arcand – Ministry of Justice – Corrections and Policing

Pat Bellisle – Saskatchewan Emergency Medical Services Association

Chief of Police Troy Cooper – M.O.M – Prince Albert Police Service

Garry Dyck – Ministry of Environment

Larry Fremont – Ministry of Environment

Michelle Gaudet – Ministry of Justice – Corrections and Policing

Chief of Police (Ret’d) Howard Georgeson – Ministry of Government Relations

Frank Hayes – Ministry of Justice – Corrections and Policing

Casey Howey – Ministry of Environment

Lyle Karasiuk – S.V.M. – Saskatchewan Emergency Medical Services Association

Joe Korecki – Nipawin Fire Department

Chris Ledoux – Duck Lake Fire Department

Brian MacAuley – Correctional Service Canada

Scott MacKie – Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure

Murdo Maclean – Correctional Service Canada

Barry Mayoros – Ministry of Justice – Corrections and Policing

Brian Nemish – Correctional Service Canada

Wes Neudorf – Ministry of Justice – Corrections and Policing

Garnet Parenteau – Duck Lake Fire Department

Captain Bruce Pihowich – Nipawin Fire Department

Trevor Rehaluk – Nipawin Fire Department

Captain Don Sahli – Nipawin Fire Department

Staff Sergeant David Schluff – Prince Albert Police Service

Tom Schultz – Nipawin Fire Department

Ray Semkiw – Correctional Service Canada

Sergeant Barry Wauters – Prince Albert Police Service

Gregory Wittig – Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure

Terry Yablonski – Ministry of Justice – Corrections and Policing

swallace@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahthesquid

by Sarah Wallace

Protective services officers recognized for years of service

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