Being punched in the head by a jewelry thief didn’t stop Tanya Silveira, a mall security guard.
She continued to chase the thief despite her injuries and helped police catch the suspects.
On Thursday, Silveira was one of five civilians awarded the Vancouver Police Board’s Certificate of Merit for outstanding courage.
Eight police officers were also recognized. They received the Chief Constable’s Commendation Award for persistence and courage.
Const. Ray Wong was one of the recipients for saving his partner, police dog Bear.
Bear was being strangled and punched in the head repeatedly by a man suspected of breaking into an auto shop. Const. Wong heard the dog whine and rushed to his aid. He used pepper spray and physically got the attacker to release his partner. Bear escaped with two cuts above his eye and was sore and slow for a few days.
Vancouver police Chief Jim Chu and Mayor Gregor Robertson presented the awards.
