November 21, 2009
Local RCMP Officers Receive Awards of Valour

PRINCE GEORGE - Two Prince George police officers, Corporal Paul Collister and Constable Tom Beck,  were among a select group of law enforcement personnel who received a special provincial Award of Valour this past week for their exemplary service to the citizens of British Columbia.

 “As a community, we often forget that police officers put their lives on the line everyday that they go to work to ensure our public safety,” says Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “Corporal Collister and Constable Beck are stellar examples of that. They are courageous and dedicated individuals that help create safer communities for families.”

“These two officers placed themselves at great personal risk to pursue armed suspects involved in a shooting incident,” explains Bond.

The incident dates back to January 3, 2008, when two gang members fired several shots into a Prince George residence. Corporal Paul Collister was patrolling nearby in an unmarked police vehicle when he heard the shots and observed the two males suspects fleeing on foot.

As Corporal Collister approached the suspects in his vehicle, one suspect turned and pointed a sawed-off shotgun at the officer. As Collister reversed his vehicle to maneuver away from the suspects, they headed onto a footpath.  Collister then exited his vehicle and followed the suspects on foot with his sidearm drawn.

When Collister yielded at the suspects to drop the firearm, the suspect again turned and leveled the shotgun at the police corporal. In response, he fired one shot at the direction of the suspects, who continued to flee up a steep embankment and into a waiting vehicle.

In the meantime, Constable Tom Beck was attempting to decipher information coming from Collister over an encrypted portable radio. He used his police vehicle to block the escape route of the suspects. Rather than stopping as ordered by Constable Beck, the suspects rammed several parked cars and drove on the sidewalk to get around Constable Beck’s vehicle.

Corporal Collister appeared and both he and Constable Beck entered the police vehicle and pursued the suspects for several blocks until it stopped in a deserted industrial area. Not being able to call for backup or report their location due to radio traffic, the two officers took the suspects into custody during a high risk takedown.

“There is no doubt that Corporal Collister and Constable Beck displayed exceptional bravery and personal courage in confronting these armed suspects,” concludes Bond.

The two locals were among eleven officers that received B.C.'s highest award for their acts of exceptional courage in the face of extreme hazard. Along with the traditional gold pin for valour, recipients were also presented with a medal of valorous service in a special ceremony at Government House on Thursday evening with Solicitor General and Minister of Public Safety Kash Heed.

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