Upper Fraser Valley RCMP Honours 42 at Chilliwack Awards Ceremony

The Upper Fraser Valley RCMP recognized 42 people for bravery, operational excellence, innovation and long-term dedication at its Officer in Charge Awards Ceremony, held April 15, 2026 at the Chilliwack Arts & Cultural Centre in Chilliwack, B.C.

Those honoured included police officers, civilian employees, justice partners and community members. Senior RCMP leaders, local officials, colleagues and family members attended as awards were presented for lifesaving interventions, crime reduction initiatives, youth and community programs, and Long Service Medals.

Lifesaving interventions

The RCMP said several officers and a civilian were commended for directly saving lives. In each case, the RCMP said, fast, compassionate and decisive actions prevented loss of life.

• November 2025: Cst. Glenn Culpepper and Cst. Mat Ladouceur responded to an unconscious person, performed CPR and continued emergency care until the person regained consciousness and was taken to hospital.
• October 2025: Cst. Kyle Haddow responded to a person in medical distress with no vital signs and administered CPR until paramedics arrived, reviving the person.
• August 2025: Cst. April Bradley, Cst. Ryan Pighin and civilian Cadence Born intervened with a person in crisis near a bridge in the Chilliwack area, bringing the person to safety and connecting them with appropriate care.

Crime prevention and investigations

The Chilliwack Crime Prevention Team, made up of Michelle, Laura, Kathy, Brenda, Asees and Manjot, received an Excellence in Innovation and Performance award for building Chilliwack's Business Watch Program from the ground up. The RCMP said the partnership-based program provides ongoing crime-prevention education to local businesses, strengthens day-to-day communication between businesses and police, and helps reduce risk and improve awareness around property and business-related crime.

Cst. Evan Inkman was acknowledged for assisting another police agency in a drug-trafficking investigation near Hope in April 2025. After receiving urgent information from a partner police service about a suspect vehicle travelling through the Hope area, he used his knowledge of local routes to locate and safely stop it. The RCMP said the stop led to the seizure of a significant quantity of suspected cocaine and fentanyl.

Justice system partners

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada was recognized as a partner in advancing investigations and achieving fair outcomes in court. Federal Crown Prosecutor Kaitlin Kuefler was honoured for her work on a multi-jurisdictional drug-trafficking investigation launched in 2023, which the RCMP said led to the conviction and sentencing of four people. Senior Paralegal Tanis Johnston was recognized for managing numerous complex investigative files for the Upper Fraser Valley and for her guidance on disclosure, follow-up and procedures with the Chilliwack Crime Reduction Unit.

Community service and youth initiatives

• Cst. Bradley Holditch launched the Kids Don't Float water-safety program at Cultus Lake, including two free life-jacket lending stations meant to prevent drownings among all age groups.
• The Youth Adventures Day Club at Kawkawa Lake, led by Executive Director Dave Murphy, Administrative Director Alicia Murphy and Program Manager Samantha Kelley, was honoured for giving at-risk youth in Hope a neutral space to build positive relationships with police. The RCMP said this has coincided with fewer negative police interactions and increased interest in law-enforcement careers.
• Cst. Brad Kelsey started a winter-clothing drive for vulnerable youth in Chilliwack. With support from the City's Public Safety and Social Development team, more than 100 winter coats were distributed through community agencies.
• Cst. Nicole Richardson organized the first Hope RCMP Youth Career Day in June 2025, bringing specialized RCMP units together for hands-on demonstrations and career information for youth from Hope and Boston Bar.

Long Service Medals

Staff Sgt. Paul Vadik was recognized for 30 years of RCMP service, including front-line policing, specialized investigative sections, detachment leadership roles in Whistler and Pemberton, training responsibilities in Chilliwack, and supervisory duties in Coquitlam and Surrey. He continues to serve as a Watch Commander for frontline policing in Chilliwack.

Sgt. Matthew LaBelle was recognized for 20 years of service beginning in 2004, including frontline duties and Highway Patrol in Alberta, supervisory work in Manitoba, and leadership in Traffic Services and collision investigations in British Columbia. He currently works in Professional Standards in Chilliwack.

This story is based on an official release from the RCMP.