An officer with the Hawkesbury detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has been presented with an award for outstanding service for a search and rescue effort in March of 2021.
Provincial Constable Jean-Francois Meloche, member of the Hawkesbury ERT team, was formally recognized on July 20 by Inspector Chis McGillis of the Hawkesbury Detachment of the OPP, for receiving a Deputy Commissioner’s Citation for being part of the search and rescue efforts made in finding Jude Leyton, four-years-old at the time, in March, 2021, in the South Frontenac area.
“On Sunday March 28, 2021, shortly before noon, officers from Frontenac Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a missing three-year-old from an address on Canoe Lake Road in South Frontenac Township. Information from the family, lead O.P.P uniform members, Emergency Response Team (ERT), Canine Unit, and the Marine Unit to search the area until dark. ERT members continued the search overnight. The search is continuing with the O.P.P helicopter, assisting and updates will be provided.”
The child was located and returned to his family safe and sound.
Congratulations and appreciation are extended to Provincial Constable Meloche for his exemplifying the O.P.P’s values during this time sensitive search and rescue.
For additional information, or anonymous tips, the Hawkesbury detachment of the O.P.P can be contacted via phone call at: 1-888-310-1122, or 1-888-310-1133, all calls are toll free, and lines are open 24-hours a day, calls accepted from anywhere in Ontario.
