A city police officer says he’s proud after he and four of his colleagues were honoured by the Governor General for risking their lives to save residents of an East End home.
Sergeant Rick Popowich says they responded to a McTavish Street home in February of last year, which had high levels of carbon monoxide.
Noting there were unconscious people inside, he explains the officers determined the rescue couldn’t wait for firefighters to finish putting on their equipment.
He says police were warned of the danger but decided to go in immediately.
“We understand that there’s a very high level of CO. But in saying that, we still have to carry on and do our job and save those that are inside,” Popowich explains.
One person was found dead at the scene, and hospital officials say without the officers’ efforts, three others in the house would have also died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Popowich received the honour on Thursday, along with Sergeant Dan Irwin, Constables Matt Sombrutski, Ryan Krupa, and Chris Kampela.
He says it came as a surprise.
“I’d heard shortly after the incident that it was possible that we would be nominated. So I was a little bit in shock. I’m very, very proud,” Popowich admits. “Very proud to be a police officer, proud of the work that we do, of the service to the community. It’s very gratifying.”
