Officers in Vancouver Honored for Bravery After Saving Child Despite Injuries

Two officers with the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) were honored with the department’s highest award for bravery at a ceremony on March 14.

Detective Const. Blake Chersinoff and Const. Scott MacDonald received the Chief Constable’s Award of Valor for their courageous act.

They were recognized for rescuing a kidnapped child from a man armed with two knives, who had barricaded himself in an apartment. Both constables sustained injuries during the rescue operation, with Const. Chersinoff receiving serious wounds.

Const. Visintin explained that Const. Chersinoff, with his 14 years of experience, instantly recognized the severity of the call they received while on the morning shift in East Vancouver. It involved a 2-year-old boy who had been abducted and was being held against his will in a nearby apartment.

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Upon arriving at the scene near Keefer Street and Gore Avenue, the two officers joined forces with two others at the front of the apartment building. They could hear the cries of the child and the suspect from inside the locked premises.

Const. Visintin stated, “Recognizing the immediate danger to the child, the officers knew they had to intervene and break into the apartment to rescue the child.”

The officers managed to force their way through the door, with Const. Chersinoff leading the way. Upon encountering the suspect armed with two knives, he alerted his fellow officers who followed him into the apartment.

Despite sustaining severe injuries to his shoulder and chest from the suspect’s attack, Const. Chersinoff remained composed and successfully rescued the child from harm.

Subsequently, with the assistance of other officers, Const. MacDonald was able to subdue the suspect, albeit sustaining a hand injury in the process.

As indicated in a July 6, 2021, news release, the suspect, a 59-year-old man, faced charges of kidnapping, forcible confinement, attempted murder of Const. Chersinoff, and assault on Const. MacDonald. However, he was deemed not criminally responsible due to mental illness.

In recognition of their exceptional bravery in protecting a child from life-threatening harm, Constable Blake Chersinoff and Scott MacDonald were presented with the Vancouver Police Department’s highest bravery award, the Award of Valor.

Chief Constable Adam Palmer praised the officers, emphasizing that the awards honor the everyday sacrifices and assistance provided by police officers in times of crisis.