Community heroes honoured by Sault police at awards night

Nick Brunetta and Jeremy Sprague were among several citizens recognized for their bravery and contributions to Sault Ste. Marie at the 35th annual Police Community Programs Night inside the Delta Hotel on Tuesday.

The two colleagues received certificates for their quick thinking during a scary incident that took place on Oct. 6, 2022 – a day they describe as unforgettable.

“We were working under the bridge on Queen Street, and I noticed a person walking up the bridge like they were on a mission,” Brunetta recalls.

After witnessing the individual enter the bridge, Brunetta immediately went on the radio to notify his colleagues.

The person was in crisis as they were threatening to jump off the international bridge.

Sprague, who has worked for the International Bridge Authority for 33 years, arrived to the scene within minutes.

“We don’t allow pedestrian traffic, so anytime we see anybody walking on there, it throws you for a loop,” Sprague says. “I jumped in the truck and drove up there as quick as I could and kept my distance a little bit and just tried talking to the person.”

The individual in distress was on the outside of the rail and ready to jump when Sprague got to the scene.

“They wanted to do away with themselves and they said, ‘nobody cares.’ I said, ‘I don’t even know you, but I care, let’s talk for a little bit.’”

“The conversation seemed like it took hours, and it probably wasn’t any more than five or ten minutes.”

Brunetta, along with other workers in the area, had stopped traffic so there was nobody driving by while the incident was taking place.

Sprague eventually managed to calm the person down and convinced them to come back over the rail. He then drove them to Canada Customs and contacted Sault Police.

“That’s the first time I had to deal with that and hopefully the last,” Sprague says. “But we wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.”

Businesses and organizations across town were also recognized by Sault Police for their philanthropic efforts, including the Heaven Cent campaign – a St. Mary’s College initiative that has provided well over $500,000 for dozens of local charities since its inception as Pennies from Heaven under the late Bob Denham in the 1990s.

SMC vice-principal Christopher Czop says the program has brought their school community closer together.

“Getting the students involved into the organizations and with our charities is a learning experience,” he says. “The whole idea of St. Mary’s College and servicing and helping others in need is one thing, but being directly involved and seeing how they can contribute as citizens of Sault Ste. Marie is our goal.”

“We’re teaching them to be critical thinkers, to be empathetic to the community, and recognize that there is need.”

Meanwhile, Connie Raynor-Elliot from Save Our Young Adults (SOYA) is celebrating 12 years since her operation to assist those struggling with addictions, homelessness, and mental health began.

She was shocked when she found out she’d be receiving an award.

“We live in a beautiful community; we all connect somehow,” she says. “SOYA would not be who we are without our volunteers, our community support, and our board of directors. I started SOYA in my house, and I had no idea where it would go. The numbers we assist are getting a lot larger, but we adapt.”

Sault Police Sgt. Rob Chabot and spokesperson Lincoln Louttit handed out each award, while Chief Stevenson and Deputy Chief MacLachlan posed for photos with all the recipients.

Commendations were awarded to the following businesses and organizations:

Grocer 4 Good Ability Development Program, founded by Lisa Vezeau-Allen in 2019, is a non-profit grocery store that provides food access in the downtown area for residents on a fixed income, as well as employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Save Our Young Adults (SOYA), founded by Connie Raynor-Elliott in 2011, provides essential services to community members facing addiction, homelessness, and mental health battles. The SOYA outreach team can bring people to and from appointments, meetings, and a treatment facility, as well as help them secure safe housing following treatment.

The Breakfast Pig, owned by Angela Caputo, teamed up with the John Howard Society to create the Feed the Kids Project, where she went into her own pocket to make healthy lunches and delivered them to low-income students during the pandemic. 3,000 lunches were delivered in a three-month span.

Joe Ruscio Professional Corporation was recognized for his charitable acts, like collecting donations annually for the Coldest Night of the Year for St. Vincent Place. He collected around $45,000 in pledges in 2021 and has slept outside in the winter to raise awareness for the homeless.

Soo Sings For Kids received an award after celebrating their 10th anniversary show earlier this month. The show has raised more than $120,000 for dozens of local children’s charities since its first year.

Heaven Cent Campaign, a charitable initiative at St. Mary’s College, raises money for countless organizations across the community through fundraisers, sporting events, and canned food drives. More than $500,000 has been collected since Bob Denham spearheaded the fundraiser in the 1990s, known at the time as Pennies from Heaven.

Commendations were awarded to the following citizens for their contributions to the wellbeing and safety of our community:

Jack Purvis, Dan Cayen, and Darrin Manchester

Sault Police received a call on Nov. 4, 2022 that someone jumped into the St. Mary’s River and possibly injured themselves. While attempting to locate them, police were approached by Purvis who offered one of his vessels to help locate the person. Police boarded the vessel with captain Cayen and crew member Manchester, and they soon spotted the individual in distress. Cayen was able to help get the person onboard safely, despite some resistance from the individual. Manchester helped pull the individual from the water and onto the boat, keeping them calm while the boat headed back to the Pavilion.

Ingrid Atkinson and Paul Makkonen

On Jul. 10, 2022, Atkinson and Makkonen gave up their bicycles to officers who were running after a suicidal person in the Fort Creek area. Sault Police managed to catch up to the individual and were able to take them into custody and provide them with the supports they needed.

Beau Neveau Jr and Nathan Wilding

In February 2021, Neveau Jr reported a break and enter in progress from a business on Queen Street East. Along with Wilding, the two friends followed the suspect and lead police to the address they entered. Police were able to conduct their investigation and make an arrest, while the stolen property was returned.

Nick Brunetta and Jeremy Sprague

On Oct. 6, 2022, Sprague was working at the International Bridge Authority when his colleague Brunetta saw someone walking up the International Bridge. They quickly drove to the area and spoke with a person who was in crisis and threatening to jump off the bridge. Sprague managed to calm them down and convinced them not to jump off the bridge. Sprague drove them to Canada Customs, contacted Sault Police, and provided the person with the supports they needed.

Rodger Caron

On Jan. 3, 2023, Caron was working at the Civic Centre when he saw someone jump into the cold waters of the St. Marys River. Caron quickly ran to assist and safely helped them out of the water. Emergency services arrived shortly after.