A couple of Chatham-Kent police members are up for police hero awards.
Officer Gary Oriet and staffer Kristine Herfst have been nominated for a 2020 Police Services Hero of the Year award for making a difference in their community.
While on-duty last summer, Oriet helped deliver a baby girl.
"Gary is a kind compassionate young officer," said the Police Association of Ontario (PAO). "This was shown during a call to assist a young mom in labour."
He was first on the scene when 911 dispatch got a call from a Chatham home about a woman in labour. Oriet helped deliver Baby Zara and coached the mother through a difficult and dangerous process because the baby was already crowing when he showed up and had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. Oriet received a letter of recognition for his actions from the deputy chief on July 16, 2019.
He said he couldn’t have done it without the help of EMS and dispatch walking him through the birth.
Kristine Herfst. (Photo via Police Association of Ontario)
Herfst works in the Communications Centre and is very active with local charities. She is a board member with Victim Services and a member of the Polar Plunge, Shop with a Cop, Food Drives, Toy Drives, First Responders Easter Eggstavaganza's, the Halloween Haunt and fundraising events for the Chatham-Kent Woman's Centre.
"Her endless energy and big heart are inspiring," said the Police Association of Ontario.
Herfst is also a longtime coordinator and granter for Make-a-Wish Children's Foundation which helps terminally ill and disabled children achieve their dreams.
"Proudly and generously, Kristine continues to give back to the community she serves, representing the force she works for," added the association.
She also donates generously to support good causes, including local hockey, breast cancer research and the United Way.
"People like Kristine are few and far between, which lets you know there are still people with great big hearts in this world," said PAO.
