The community can take comfort in knowing that people in the position of leadership continue to achieve excellence — even in times of tragedy and heartache.
The Police Association of Ontario (PAO), which is the official provincial representative body for 28,000 sworn and civilian police personnel from 45 police associations across Ontario, recognized Acting Staff Sgt. Leah Thomas, who's the president of the South Simcoe Police Association, when she was named the 2023 recipient of the John Walker Award on June 1.
Thomas served as SSPA president during one of the darkest days in the history of South Simcoe police — when Constables Morgan Russell and Devon Northrup were killed in the line of duty after a shooting at an Alcona home on Oct. 11, 2022.
The John Walker Award was created to honour the memory of former Belleville Police Association president John Walker, who passed away from cancer in 1996. It is presented annually to honour an individual who, through his or her actions, exemplify the qualities of leadership, devotion, and sacrifice in the face of adversity as a member association of the Police Association of Ontario.
"The John Walker Award provides an important opportunity to honour the leadership of one of our members,” Police Association of Ontario president Mark Baxter said. “We were so inspired with the leadership exemplified by Leah in arguably the hardest time of her career.
"While having to process the death of two of her friends and colleagues, Leah rose to the challenge of supporting members of the South Simcoe Police Association and exemplified strength, compassion, and love for them and her community," he added. "We are proud to recognize Leah's leadership and dedication.”
A member of the South Simcoe Police Service since 2002, Thomas held the position of secretary within the South Simcoe Police Association from 2018 until she took over as president in September 2021.
“I am truly honoured, grateful and incredibly humbled to receive this prestigious award, especially when one looks back at the past recipients,” Thomas told InnisfilToday. “Knowing that this award is given to an association member that has exemplified the qualities of leadership, devotion and sacrifice in the face of adversity, as demonstrated by John Walker in his role as president of the Belleville Police Association, I cannot begin to express how much this award means to me.”
Thomas also reflected on the deaths of her two fellow officers.
“Losing Morgan and Devon on that tragic night was a tremendous personal loss," she said. "The loss was not mine alone, countless colleagues, our police organization, the communities we serve along with the families of our fallen heroes also experienced immeasurable pain with the loss."
“Everything I have done since their deaths has been with them in mind and to honour them the way they deserved to be honoured, as heroes," Thomas added. "Whether supporting a member of the service, a family member, the community or conducting local fundraisers in their honour, my support and commitment to the membership and service is steadfast.”
