Victoria, BC – Two current and one retired VicPD Officers were decorated by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, at an honours ceremony at Government House in Victoria on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
Cst. Craig Barker and Cst. Paul Hykaway were decorated for bravery for their actions when they entered a burning house in the 2500-block of Empire Street to search for tenants (2014-517) on January 3, 2014. Knowing the blaze was spreading, Constable Hykaway ran beneath a burning deck and forced his way inside, with Constable Barker close behind him. Despite the heavy smoke and intense heat, the officers conducted a thorough search of the residence, confirming it was empty, before exiting to safety. Both officers and one resident of house were treated for non-life-threatening injuries in hospital and released.
(Ret) S/Sgt. Darren Laur was also inducted as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada at the same ceremony. (Ret) S/Sgt. Darren Laur served as a member of the Victoria Police Department for over 25 years and retired in March 2016. His project on body worn video was the first evidence-based study of police technology in Canada. His research led to significant changes in the way information would be shared in future policing technology.
