file:///U|/taser/M26/2001/12/AbbotsfordM26useraward.htm

Abbotsford cops win valour awards
By CHERYL WIERDA
11/29/2001

MetroValley News Service
Two Abbotsford Police officers have received the province’s highest police honour.
Sgt. Arnie Courtney and Const. Kim Harder were among nine officers given the Award of Valour Thursday
night at the annual police honours night in Victoria.
“I think it’s well deserved,” said Abbotsford Police Chief Ian Mackenzie of recognition given the local
officers.
The award is given to officers who knowingly place themselves at high risk of serious injury or death while
performing their duties. For the Abbotsford officers, that day occurred on July 3, 2000, when they
restrained a man armed with a knife who was known to be infected with HIV and Hepatitis C. They were
called after a man, who was high on crack cocaine, began pushing his mother around.
The suspect barricaded himself in a room in his mother’s trailer when police arrived. When officers entered
the home to arrest the man, he produced a 10-inch butcher-style knife and threw it at Courtney, hitting him
in the arm. Almost instantaneously, Courtney fired a Taser gun, immobilizing the suspect for five seconds,
and another officer fired three shots from a bean bag gun. The suspect was then arrested.
Retired chief Barry Daniel was also recognized Thursday, given one of 21 meritorious awards for his
“outstanding service to policing in B.C.,” said a release from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor
General.
The police division of the provincial ministry and representatives from the B.C. Association of Chiefs of
police selected the award recipients. In the 20-year history of the awards, eight Abbotsford officers have
received valour awards and three have obtained meritorious service awards.

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