RCMP Boss Recognizes ‘Persistence and Dedication’

Oct 18, 2018 | 1:10 PM

Vernon Search and Rescue volunteers accept the Commander’s Certificate of Appreciation from Superintendent Shawna Baher (RCMP)

The leader of the local RCMP is thanking Vernon Search and Rescue for its excellent work and dedication to duty.

Superintendent Shawna Baher has presented a Commander’s Certificate of Appreciation to the 60-member volunteer group for their help in finding a man who went missing while kayaking on Mabel Lake in July.

The crew was first called out July 18, 2018 to assist the Lumby RCMP with the search after a kayak was found empty on Mabel Lake.

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“Vernon SAR responded with two boats and crews to begin a search that continued into the night. They continued the search throughout the next day and returned to the lake over the next week at various times to continue the search, without success,” says Baher.

The search team returned to the lake the evening of July 27 after noting evidence of the presence of a body nearby.

“The team continued the search in difficult and hazardous terrain and located the missing male over 200 yards into the dense bush surrounding the lake. The excellent work by this team brought a positive end to the search and allowed the family of the male to gain closure with the recovery of his body.”

Baher has nothing but praise for the organization’s efforts.

“The persistence and dedication to duty displayed by members of the Vernon Search and Rescue group is typical of their response in general. It’s a credit to this teams’ professionalism, training and dedication to the community which they serve.”

The Vernon Search & Rescue Group Society is a non-profit charitable Society, which has provided services to the North Okanagan area since 1960.

by Corey Fischer