An officer with the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment has received a 2023 Ontario Medal for Police Bravery Sgt. Matt Capel-Cure was awarded the 2023 Ontario Medal for Police Bravery during a ceremony Monday night in Toronto. The Ontario Medal for Police Bravery is awarded annually to officers across Ontario for acts of extraordinary courage and bravery.
“I can’t think of anything to say that would be worthy of this award,” said Sgt. Capel-Cure, in a post on Windsor police’s social media. “To receive it and be recognized for one’s actions when officers are out there every day doing extraordinary things is humbling. I am just grateful to be a part of such an amazing profession.”
Capel-Cure earned the award through his actions after a serious car crash June 3, 2023. He was first-on-scene at a vehicle collision where a motorist had crashed into a County Road 18 residence and struck a gas line. The home and vehicle were engulfed in flames, and the driver lay nearby with severe burns.
Capel-Cure immediately approached the injured party and helped move him to a place of safety with the aid of a bystander. In an article with the RTT last summer, Capel-Cure gave credit to the bystander – Ryan Greenham – for helping rescue the driver.
“He was a nearby resident and when he heard the crash, he went with me,” Capel-Cure told the River Town Times last July. “We ran in and pulled (the driver) out.”
“Sgt. Capel-Cure’s response demonstrated exceptional bravery and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others,” said Windsor Police Chief Jason Bellaire. “In a terrifying situation, he ran towards the danger – and our service and community are grateful for his efforts.”
Capel-Cure is a member of the Windsor Police’s Amherstburg detachment. He joined the Amherstburg Police Service in 2000 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2010. He became a member of the Windsor Police when the service took over policing responsibilities for Amherstburg in 2019.
On May 7, 2024, Sgt. Capel-Cure received the Windsor Police Award of Valour for his brave actions last summer.
Other award recipients this past Monday night were Const. Trevor Taylor of the Brantford Police Service, Const. Lance Broderick and Const. Dan Pinkney of the Halton Regional Police, Det. Sgt. Sara Beck and Detective Robert Di Ianni of the Hamilton Police Service, Const. Matt Tavano of the Niagara Regional Police Service, Const. Vyacheslav Biryukov of the Toronto Police Service, Const. Jason Causton and Const. Chris Robb of the Waterloo Regional Police Service, Const. Andrew Court and Const. Vesselin Ivanov of the Toronto Police Service.
Firefighters honoured as part of the ceremony included Capt. Jesse Beaudrow of the Brock Township Fire Department, Capt. Jeff Clayton of Brampton Fire and Emergency Services, Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Fairburn and Firefighter Brandon DiMonte of Caledon Fire and Emergency Services, and Firefighter Mackenzie Grosvenor of the Town of Greater Napanee Fire Department.
A number of police and firefighters from the London area were also honoured for their work in assisting with rescuing people from a collapsed building Dec. 11, 2020. They included Constable Blair Corsaut, Sergeant John Dance and Constable Brent Thomas of the London Police Service; First Class Firefighter Mark Archibald, Firefighter Patrick Bradley, Firefighter John D. Campbell, Senior Qualified Firefighter Jason Allen Carter, Firefighter Eric Conway, First Class Firefighter Erik Elmauer, Firefighter Adam Froats, Firefighter Kevin Funston, Captain Randy Geene, Firefighter Scott Givlin, Captain Todd Groves, Firefighter Ian Guy, Firefighter Connor Hanenburg, Firefighter Christopher Hare, First Class Firefighter Jason Patrick Kennedy, Firefighter James King, Firefighter Mitchell Knight, Captain Peter Lapkowski, Firefighter Marc Leveille, Captain Joseph Livingstone, Senior Qualified Firefighter Jason Lundy, Captain Derrick G. Martin, Senior Qualified Firefighter Jeff Montgomery, Firefighter Cole Nicholson, Captain Steven Prior, Firefighter Parmbir Rai, Senior Qualified Firefighter Michael W. Reed, Firefighter Brandon Rhea, Captain Justin Salt, Senior Qualified Firefighter Michael Sophocleous, First Class Firefighter Bradly Stallman, Firefighter Pat Stephenson, Firefighter Mitchell Thomas and Firefighter Scott Turkheim of the London Fire Department.
“The courage these exceptional police officers and firefighters have displayed is truly remarkable,” said the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. “Each one of the recipients has gone well above and beyond their duties, and we are proud to recognize the impact of their selfless service on their communities and on our province.”
"Ontario is fortunate to be home to the best police officers and firefighters in the country," added Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. "Recognizing these individuals with medals for bravery is a privilege and a great honour. Their work is an inspiration to us all, and on behalf of the people of Ontario, I thank them for their dedication to their communities and their extraordinary acts of heroism."
Amherstburg officer receives Ontario Medal for Police Bravery
By RTT Staff
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