An Abbotsford Police officer has received the Meritorious Service award from the provincial government for his efforts in defusing a dangerous situation with a violent offender in 2012.
Const. Chris Troughton was among 82 officers receiving honours during the 33rd annual Police Honours Night on Thursday night in Victoria.
The awards were presented by Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon and Attorney General and Minister of Justice Susan Anton.
A total of 38 officers received the award of valour – the highest honour for a police officer in B.C. – and another 44 received meritorious service awards, recognizing exemplary performance.
Troughton was acknowledged for an incident that took place on May 6, 2012 in which he was the first on the scene to respond after a woman reported that her ex-boyfriend had thrown a rock through a window in her home.
Troughton found the suspect and recognized him as someone who had a violent history and a mental illness.
The man was carrying a long pole, which he began swinging, hitting Troughton's unmarked police car several times.
Troughton pointed his gun at the man and warned him several times to drop the weapon, but the man screamed at the officer to shoot him and came towards him as he continued to swing the pole.
At one point, Troughton fell backwards but rolled to a standing position, just as the suspect swung and released the pole at his head.
The man then surrendered and was arrested without further incident.
Troughton received the Chief Constable's Commendation from the Abbotsford Police in June 2012 for his actions in the incident.
At the time, Chief Bob Rich said Troughton was to be commended for "keeping everyone safe" while dealing with a difficult situation.