Sault police honour local heroes at awards ceremony

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service honoured community members and organizations at a gala dinner Thursday night.

The annual Sault Police Community Awards included people that risked their own well-being for others, groups that help police and those simply giving back to the community.

“For 36 years we've been recognizing people of our community that give back,” said Const. Emily Coccimiglio.

The largest ovation came at the end of the night, for Sault. native Liam Frenette, who was the victim of a random stabbing on the boardwalk.

Frenette was honoured for his strength and will to survive. He was the victim of a gruesome stabbing while sitting on a bench at the city’s boardwalk last September.

“I got beat about the head and shoulders and stabbed an awful lot,” he said.

“I was told they stopped counting after 30.”

“He fought off the assailant,” Coccimiglio said.

“He held on to the assailant. And without his strength and endurance that day, who knows where the investigation would have gone. So, yeah, Liam is special. He’s definitely an unsung hero.”

'It was sort of overwhelming'

Also honoured was the Algoma Autism Foundation, whose leaders worked with police to supply each police cruiser with a sensory kit to aid those with autism who struggle with lights and sirens when encountered by officers.

“It was sort of overwhelming,” said the foundation’s Jamie Boston.

“We never really thought much more than supporting the police service to support the community. Obviously, it's fantastic to be recognized “

Police honoured 12 organizations and individuals, including man who chased and caught a purse thief, a local who took it upon himself to help in the search for a missing girl, supplying crucial information to her location, and groups like the CMHA, Harvest Algoma and many more.

A full list of winners can be found here.

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