Community members were recognized for their efforts to make Sault a safer place to live
The Sault Ste. The Marie Police Service has honored a number of citizens, organizations and schools for their significant contribution to public safety.
Chief Stevenson, Deputy Chief of McClalan and Mr. Dave Urso of Kinsmen Club presented the awards last night.
Congratulations were given to the following citizens for their contribution to the well-being and security of our community:
Cst. Steve Pelch (OPP Solon Squad) and David Ramsey
In 2019, Officer Stephen Pelch was at the Shell gas station on Great Northern Road when he noticed that a moving vehicle had an open rear door and a hose was attached to the exhaust pipe passing inside the vehicle. He removed the hose from the exhaust pipe and saw a man and a woman in the vehicle. The man told him they wanted to die, but the woman did not respond. Cst. Peltsch managed to remove the woman from the vehicle and began applying CPR because she was unconscious. Mr. Ramsey was in the area, saw what was happening, and quickly called 911 and helped Cst. Pelch detained the man until the first responders arrived.
Nathan Lambert
In 2019, 13-year-old Nathan Lambert watched his younger brother and sister for the first time. His parents went to the store briefly to give Nathan extra responsibility. While watching his younger siblings, Nathan called 911 and told the dispatcher that he heard a big bang, followed by younger ones. Nathan went upstairs to his parents’ room with his siblings. After officers arrived at the residence, it was confirmed that someone had broken into the basement door and was inside the house, but had fled before police arrived. The suspect left a copy of a pistol.
Ihsan Almomani
In 2020, Salt police attended the YMCA to speak to a young man who complained of being abused by his father. The young man did not speak English and spoke Arabic. Ihan Almomani’s name appeared as a person who could help with the translation. In his spare time, Ihsan visited the station and talked at length with this young man and their family. A safe place was found for this young man, and Ihsan provided the family with information to help them better understand the situation.
Crystal brown
The daughter of a Salt Fred Brown police officer, Crystal has volunteered her time to support charities. One of her biggest contributions is Project Blue Light, a service to honor fallen officers who died in the line of duty, and support current officers defending their communities.
Paramedics Scott Benford and Deandra Francesi
In 2021, paramedics Scott Benford and Deandra Francis were sent to the Fort Creek conservation area, where they found a young woman sitting on a bridge and contemplating suicide. Their compassion and experience reassured her, but not enough to get her off the bridge. Salt police arrived on the scene and pulled her off the bridge.
Shelby Speck
Speck started using illicit drugs when he was 14. Its use escalated and continued for another 5 years. She went into rehab and began the journey to sobriety. Her journey continues and thanks to her dedication and hard work Shelby has been sober for 6 years.
Pettingola himself
In 2020, Sam Pettingola and his wife were shopping at Station Mall when three masked suspects, armed with an ax and hammer, smashed a glass window in a jewelry store. Mr Pettingola jumped into action, dealing with one of the suspects, who was armed with a hammer, and detained him until police arrived.
Quality detergents
Owner Art Tombari provided storage space for Operation All Dressed Up, a program aimed at offering affordable formal attire for girls’ graduations and proms. Tailors Brenda Bishop, Marilyn Davis, Laura DiLabio, Catherine Frya, Margaret Marinich, Beth Withers, Vicki Young and the late Bernice Young changed their dresses.
Police service plaques were presented to the following members of the community:
Mike and Sue Flamiya from Little Caesars Pizza, for their compassion and generosity, providing pizzas to community centers in need of food.
LCBO Managers Serge Sylvester, Dean Wade and Shelley Bailey, for their efforts and collaboration in all three places to improve efficiency and assistance with service calls.
Taylar Piazza of the HOPE Alliance, for her ongoing and tireless efforts to support victims and survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Sault Ste. Marie Helping Hands founder Wendy Gutcher for her commitment to collecting, organizing and distributing donated household items, clothing and other carefully used items to those in need in our community.
Four local schools, which have a long history without accidents, also received a plaque:
Queen Elizabeth Public School (10 years safety), RM Moore Public School (15 years), Ecole Notre-Dame Du Sault (25 years) and Catholic School of Our Lady of Lourdes (30 years).
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