The awards from the Royal Canadian Humane Association recognize deeds of heroism that saved or attempted to save a life or lives in emergency situations between May 2023 and May 2024.
Christopher and Joseph Novecosky of Saskatoon were recognized posthemously with gold medals for attempting to rescue two young girls who fell through the thin ice on Humboldt Lake while playing on the afternoon of November 4th, 2023. Christopher was the girl’s uncle and Joseph was a cousin. One of the girls was saved, but the two men drowned in the cold water.
Lieutenant-Governor (lef-ten-nant) Russ Mirasty will present the bravery awards to the Novecosky family in November in Saskatoon.
Full details about every award winner can be viewed below:
Constable Aedyn Duke (Nipawin) – Honorary Testimonial
Constable Hunter Favel (Nipawin) – Honorary Testimonial
Suicidal person – Nipawin – May 22, 2023
On May 22, 2023, at 4:55 p.m. Constables Aedyn Duke and Hunter Favel received a 911 call about a youth who had left a note saying he was going to stab himself with a knife. A description was obtained of the youth and additional RCMP members were called to help search. Constables Duke and Favel went to the old Nipawin bridge, a local gathering place for teenagers.
Constable Duke saw the youth’s mother on the west side of the bridge. She was calling out her son’s name. The Constable then heard a male voice responding. Constables Duke and Favel notified other police of the situation and ran in the direction of the voice. The mother was seen walking down an embankment and Constables Favel and Duke began searching the area, which had a steep incline and thick brush. In 500 meters, Constable Favel located the youth, who was pale and had a deep laceration on his left wrist, which was bleeding profusely and had exposed bone.
The police members applied First Aid and used a tourniquet to stop the blood. Portable radio communications were not effective, and the youth was falling in and out of consciousness. The youth needed immediate medical attention. As it was impossible for EMS to attend with a stretcher, Constable Duke broke trail through the heavy bush while Constable Favel carried the youth on his shoulders. It was very difficult moving. When they neared level ground, other members assisted. The youth was brought to EMS who transported him to hospital.
For their quick actions in saving a life, the RCHA Honorary Testimonial Certificate is awarded to Constables Aedyn Duke and Hunter Favel.
Maggie May Gregorash (Saskatoon) – Silver Medal
Assault at library – Saskatoon – September 12, 2023
On September 12, 2023, Maggie May Gregorash was walking near the Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library in Saskatoon when she saw a fight break out between two people in front of the building. She ran to the scene to see if there was something she could do to break up the fight.
On of the male assailants pulled out a machete and started heading toward the entrance of the library. Gregorash realized people near the library entrance were in danger. She distracted the male away from the entrance towards some parked cars, but he then struck out at her, cutting her on her left side. Although she was cut, her clothing prevented more severe injury. The male struck at her again and this time hit her left wrist and hand, cutting four tendons. He fled the scene but was later caught and charged by police.
Gregorash sought medical attention and was informed that her wounds were very serious. She had to undergo surgery on her wrist.
For her actions to prevent bystanders from injury by an assailant with a weapon, the RCHA silver medal for bravery is awarded to Maggie May Gregorash.
Constable Shamsher Dhah (Pinehouse) – Bronze Medal
Suicidal person in tree – Pinehouse – October 21, 2023
On October 21, 2023, just before 10:00 a.m. at Pinehouse Lake, RCMP Constable Shamsher Dhah received a call about a suicidal 16-year-old female who had a knife and a noose. Constable Dhah located the female in the back yard of her home, where she was approximately 15 feet up in a tree, standing on a branch. The female had a noose around her neck, which was tied to a large branch in the tree. The female was in distress and was crying.
Constable Dhah called for back-up to attend and attempted to de-escalate the situation by talking to the female, but she would not listen to him.
The female then began to take steps towards the end of the branch, which caused the branch to bend as her weight shifted. Seeing this, Constable Dhah climbed the tree swiftly and grabbed the female by her left wrist. He then grabbed his knife from his duty belt and cut the rope with his free hand, all the while speaking with the female and trying to pull her to safety.
Constable Annala arrived on scene and Constable Dhah was able to convince the female to come down with him. The female slowly climbed down, along with Constable Dhah, but a couple of the branches under him broke, causing him to fall some distance, injuring his knee and shin. When he made it down, Dhah escorted the female to Constable Annalas’ police vehicle. The female was brought to a medical clinic.
Constable Dhah put his life at risk to save a person in a dangerous situation. His quick decision and actions prevented the situation from becoming fatal.
For his actions in saving a life, Constable Sham Dhah is awarded the RCHA bronze medal for bravery.
Christopher Novecosky (Humboldt) – Gold Medal
Joseph Novecosky (Humboldt) – Gold Medal
Drowning – Humboldt Lake – November 4, 2023
The following citation is courtesy of the Carnegie Hero Commission Fund.
Seven-year-old Ava and six-year-old Evelyn Novecosky were playing outside on the afternoon of November 4, 2023 when they fell through thin ice covering Humboldt Lake outside their home near Humboldt. About 300 feet from shore, they struggled in extremely cold water that was about fifteen feet deep. Their brother on shore alerted adult family members, including the girls’ uncle Christopher Novecosky, and cousin Joseph Novecosky, both of Saskatoon.
Christopher and Joseph ran out of the house onto the ice along with the girls’ mother, who said she could hear the ice cracking under their feet. The three adults approached the girls as the ice gave way and both men plunged into the icy water. Both men attempted to push an unconscious Ava onto the ice but were unsuccessful. The mother then fell through the ice.
Christopher grasped Evelyn and tried to lift her out of the water onto the ice but was unsuccessful. Joseph also tried and failed to lift Ava out. Within two minutes, both men were exhausted from their efforts in the freezing water. Christopher let go of Evelyn and he submerged. Joseph handed Ava to her mother and he, too, submerged.
The girls’ father then pushed a kayak filled with life jackets across the ice and into the water. The mother grasped the kayak while holding Ava. Evelyn swam to the kayak and took a life jacket, when she floated away until arriving firefighters used ropes and ice-rescue suits to pull her out along with her mother.
Firefighters retrieved Ava, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Evelyn and her mother suffered from hypothermia but recovered. A dive team found the bodies of Christopher and Joseph the next day.
For attempting to save a life but at the cost of their own lives during a water rescue the RCHA gold medals for bravery are awarded posthumously to Christopher and Joseph NOVECOSKY.
Avery Chubb (Saskatoon) – Bronze Medal
Quinn Haugen (Saskatoon) – Bronze Medal
Georgia Vanderlinde (Saskatoon) – Bronze Medal
House fire – Saskatoon – November 13, 2023
On November 13, 2023, at approximately 4:00 p.m. students Georgia Vanderlinde, Quinn Haugen and Avery Chubb were just finished with a basketball game when they were driving near Zeman Crescent in Saskatoon. They saw thick smoke clouds coming from a house down the street and went to investigate. When they approached the house, they were shocked to see that there were no fire trucks or people around. There was a truck parked out front with two people. The woman driver was frantically yelling that there was a woman inside who would not leave the house because of her cats.
The fire was on the outside of the house and flames were spreading quickly. Someone called 911. Chubb, Haugen and Vanderlinde noticed the front door was open and went inside. They called out for the woman in the house. At this time, the fire was mainly outside of the house, but they could smell smoke inside.
They found the woman in the kitchen, but she said she was not leaving without her cats. The cats were scared and were trying to hide when one of them darted upstairs. Vanderlinde ran after it, but it hid under a bed. Vanderlinde could feel the heat from the fire and realized that they needed to vacate the house as there were more smoke and flames.
When Vanderlinde came downstairs, Chubb and Haugen were trying to convince the woman that she needed to leave the house. Chubb was helping the woman get her purse and a few important items. The woman, who was resisting, was escorted to safety across the street.
When they exited the house one of the cats ran out the front door. The fire grew rapidly and spread to the neighboring house. The fire department arrived and eventually brought the raging fire under control. Two of the cats were rescued. If it were not for the quick actions of Chubb, Haugen and Vanderlinde the situation could have been fatal.
For saving a life from a house fire, the RCHA bronze medal for bravery is awarded to Avery Chubb, Quinn Haugen and Georgia Vanderlinde.
Cory Dean (Davidson) – Silver Medal
Brent Friesen (Davidson) – Silver Medal
Cole Murfitt (Davidson) – Silver Medal
Kristin Sampson (Davidson) – Silver Medal
House fire – Davidson – February 18, 2024
The Davidson Volunteer Fire Depart received a 911 call during the noon hour of February 18, 2024, regarding a structure fire. Fire Chief Cory Dean was notified that there were five people, including three children, trapped in the house. As Chief Dean was familiar with the house, he led the team of fire fighters including Brent Friesen, Cole Murfitt and Kristin Sampson. It was unknown where the people were in the house.
Upon arrival, the firefighters found the front half of the house engulfed in flames and the entire house surrounded in thick black smoke. Dean and Sampson tried entering the house by the porch, but the flames were too intense. Windows were broken to help ventilate the house. Dean and Sampson entered through the side door with a hose, crawling on their hands and knees, followed by Friesen and Murfitt. The smoke was so intense they had limited visibility. They managed to check a bedroom but found no one there. They continued to the kitchen, but it was engulfed with flames. They came upon a second bedroom, but it was full of smoke and the ceiling was burning intensely. They continued to the living room and found an adult lying on the floor. Dean and Sampson dragged the adult down the hallway to where Friesen and Murfitt were. Together they brought the adult out to the EMS personnel and all four firefighters went back into the house. They crawled back to the living room and found a second adult and did the same procedure, bringing the adult to EMS.
Dean, Sampson, Friesen and Murfitt entered the house for the third time to search for the three children. By this time, the fire was more intense and was flashing. This was brought under control for a moment, which allowed Dean, Friesen and Murfitt to go to the living room to continue the search. The members were ready to search another room when they were called out of the house because the roof was compromised and had started to collapse.
Dean, Friesen and Murfitt immediately exited the house and began fighting the flames on the exterior of the house. When that was brought under control the members went back in for a fourth time to search for the children. Dean and Murfitt entered the house, and the three children were finally located in the last bedroom. Sadly, the two adults and all three children passed away.
For their actions in attempting to save lives in a structure fire the RCHA silver medal for bravery is awarded to Fire Chief Cory Dean, Firefighters Brent Friesen, Cole Murfitt and Kristin Sampson.
Ajara Dias (Morse) – Silver Medal
Jiyeong Lee (Morse) – Silver Medal
House fire – Morse – March 8, 2024
On March 8, 2024, at approximately 9:50 p.m., Jiyeong Lee and Ajara Dias were returning to Morse with their family. They could see smoke rising in the community and they went to investigate. Upon their arrival to the residence, they could not see flames right away but knew there was a fire in the house. People were standing around watching the fire. Jiyeong called 911 and then assisted Ajara at the front door.
They knew a 78-year-old male lived in the house alone and did not see him outside with the other people. They knocked on the door but there was no answer. They then tried to open the door, but it was jammed. Ajara used his cell phone flashlight to see through the window in the door and located the male on the other side of the door. They knew they had to act fast and get the male out as the fire was growing more intense. Together Ajara and Jiyeong were able to push the door open, but they were met with large flames and smoke. Crouching they managed to reach inside for the unconscious male and were able to drag him out of the building.
Unfortunately, the male was too badly burned to have CPR administered. Once EMS arrived, the male was deemed to be deceased. The town fire department attended to the house, now engulfed in flames, and ultimately extinguished the fire and saved the houses on either side.
For their actions to attempt to save a life from a house fire, the RCHA silver medal for bravery is awarded to Ajara Dias & Jiyeong Lee.
Nora McLearn (Neville) – Silver Medal
Chace Riley (Neville) – Bronze Medal
Danielle Armstrong (Swift Current) – Honorary Testimonial Certificate
Assault with weapon – Swift Current – May 13, 2024
On May 13, 2024, Swift Current RCMP responded to several calls about a female being attacked with an axe. Police investigators learned that the victim had been approached by the accused, who was unknown to her, while walking on Chaplin Street. Without provocation, the accused attacked the victim with a hatchet. The victim suffered a wound to her head and was also struck on the arms and hands while defending herself.
During the attack, Nora McLearn and her grandson, 14-year-old Chace Riley, were driving by. Riley saw the attack and yelled at his grandmother to stop, telling her what he had just witnessed. McLearn stopped and told Riley to stay in the car. She approached the victim and accused on foot. McLearn could see that the victim was bleeding and needed assistance. McLearn ordered the accused to stop and then the accused focused her attention on McLearn. The woman struck at McLearn with the axe, injuring her hand and wrist. Riley saw what was happening, jumped out of the car and went over to stop the assault on his grandmother. The accused then tried to attack Riley, but McLearn stepped in to stop the attack. The woman chased McLearn and Riley across the street to a residential yard while the initial victim was able to get away.
The accused continued to chase the two around the yard until Riley was able to flag down a third civilian, who was driving by. Danielle Armstrong stopped to allow McLearn and Riley inside her vehicle. Armstrong then drove away from the accused and turned a corner. They picked up the initial victim a short distance away at a business where she was given some first aid. EMS and police were called, and the victim was placed in Armstrong’s vehicle until they arrived. McLearn and the initial victim were treated at the hospital. The attacker was arrested and charged.
Without the intervention of Nora McLearn, Chace Riley and Danielle Armstrong, the initial victim could have been seriously injured or killed. McLearn put herself in danger and suffered minor injuries as a result. Riley intervened to prevent his grandmother from becoming more hurt and to distract the attacker. Armstrong enabled the victims to escape the scene in her vehicle.
For saving a life from an attacker with a weapon, the RCHA silver medal for bravery is awarded to Nora McLearn.
For saving a life from an attacker with a weapon, the RCHA bronze medal for bravery is awarded to Chace Riley.
For assisting the rescuers and the victim from further injury from the attack, the RCHA Honorary Testimonial Certificate is awarded to Danielle Armstrong.
