Five MJPS members honoured with Van de Vorst Award
Cst. Ryan Lundquist, Cst. Brandon Braun, Cst. Payton Denet, Cst. Jacques Geyer and Cst. Austin Abbott of the Moose Jaw Police Service was recognized on Tuesday afternoon (September 24, 2023) for their efforts in taking impaired drivers off roadways.
Each member received the Van de Vorst Family Award, which was established five years ago by Linda and Lou Van de Vorst to honour their son and his family who were killed by an impaired driver in 2016. MADD Canada presented the awards in partnership with SGI.
Officers who charged over eight impaired drivers during the last calendar year (April 1 to March 31) received a Silver Challenge Coin and a certificate of recognition. Those who charged 17 or more were presented with a Gold Challenge Coin and the Platinum Award for officers who removed 40 or more impaired drivers from the roads.
From April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2024, the five MJPS members laid 49 impaired charges and suspended 56 licenses.
Cst. Lundquist is part of the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) Unit within the MJPS and says that this award hits a little closer to home.
“I actually went to university with Chanda Van de Vorst, the mother who was killed in this collision. Another close friend of mine, a young referee was killed by a drunk driver when he was 17 (years old), and on his way to work in Saskatoon before I was a Police officer,” says Cst. Lundquist. “Having those connections is why I’m so engaged in specifically these types of investigations,” adds Lundquist.
Cst. Lundquist reminds motorists that it’s not worth it to drive impaired, as the pain, suffering, and impact it can cause outweigh the financial cost if caught.
Cst. Denet, who is with the Community Policing Division also worked hard to remove impaired drivers from the roadways. When asked what advice he could give to motorists when it comes to impaired driving, he said, “Don’t do it”.
“Don’t do it at all,” explains Cst. Denet. “You have one choice, call a cab, walk, or get a friend to pick you up, it’s not worth it. It’s a life-changing decision for everyone involved and people that you don’t think could be involved. It has a ripple effect.”
Cst. Braun, Cst. Geyer, and Cst. Abbott was not able to attend Tuesday’s awards ceremony.
In total 170 officers from various provincial, federal, municipal, and university agencies were recognized between both ceremonies in Regina and Saskatoon. Recipients in both were responsible for taking a combined 3973 impaired drivers off the road.
Tuesday’s event marked the 6th anniversary of the Van de Vorst Family Award.
If you or someone you know witnesses an impaired driver, call the Moose Jaw Police Service at 306-694-7600.
Cst. Payton Denet
Cst. Ryan Lundquist
