Two staff members at the Guild pub didn’t hesitate when they realized a Victoria police officer was being assaulted outside the Wharf Street business.
Bar manager Ozymandias Shanmugadhasan and bartender Dylan Hermary were at work on Oct. 21 when the lone officer got into a struggle with three people while trying to make an arrest.
Patrons had been watching the incident unfold through the front window when another worker yelled that the officer was in trouble, Shanmugadhasan said.
“We bolted across the street and just pulled the guys off and held them down as they kept kicking and screaming.”
He and Hermary didn’t think about how to react, he said. “We just booked it as fast as could.”
The pair were among seven people honoured Wednesday with VicPD Civic Service Awards, which have been given out since 2012 to recognize members of the public, civilian members of the police department and police officers for actions that help the community and make it safer.
The Guild co-workers helped out in a tough situation, said Mark MacIntyre, director of community engagement for Victoria police, controlling the suspects long enough for arrests to be made, he said.
“Clearly, both Dylan and Ozymandias put themselves in harm’s way to assist our officer.”
Also recognized for helping to stop an assault on an officer was Royal Jubilee Hospital nurse Nicole Tarsio. She was working Dec. 29 when she saw the incident.
“The VicPD officer, who was there to assist another patient on another matter, was blindsided by the attack,” MacIntyre said.
Tarsio said she approached the patient from behind and tried to hold her arms down until security arrived.
“The real people who stopped the assault were the security officers,” Tarsio said. “They’re really the heroes for us all the time.”
Robert Ross, who works in security at Hillside Centre mall, called police after recognizing a man who was wanted on serious assault charges. He provided a good description and kept the man in sight from a safe distance, allowing officers to make a quick arrest.
Three men were honoured for assisting with the apprehension of a shoplifting suspect. On Nov. 8, Kyle Griffiths spotted a man attempting to shoplift at the Bay Street business he manages. He confronted the man, who set upon him and broke his glasses.
Derreck George, a Paladin Security worker who was at the business, reacted quickly and took the man into custody. The man suddenly broke free, prompting Grant Hallam, a bystander, to tackle him.
The three men held the suspect until police arrived. When officers searched the man, they discovered he was carrying a knife.
Acting Police Chief Del Manak said the awards are an important way of acknowledging the good things that people do.
“To our seven recipients, you have been nominated for making a decision to act in the interest of your communities,” Manak said. “You stepped up and took decisive action to help someone that you’ve never met before.
“You stood up for what is good, what is right and what is honourable.”
