I sent a letter to our Governor General on 25OCT2007 in regards to Constable Christopher G Garrett of the Cobourg Police Department who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Mortally wounded, he emptied his service weapon at his fleeing killer who was bent on more violence against the Police and the public.
An appeal was put to the Governor General to make an exception and award Constable Garrett the Cross of Valour even though the period of application (2 years) had passed. The delay was necessary as the carriage of justice whereby Constable Garrett's killer was tried and convicted took longer than two years.
The text of my letter follows:
"Your Excellency,
It is my understanding from the news tonight that there is a chance that Constable Garrett of the Cobourg Police Department may not, posthumously of course, be honoured for his sacrifice due to a technicality regarding the time window of application.
No doubt you are aware of this matter and the magnitude of Constable Garrett's bravery and sacrifice.
I hope you can come to appreciate the extenuating circumstances in this case and provide Constable Garrett the honour he richly deserves. I never knew Constable Garrett, or anyone else in the Cobourg Police Department. But Constable Garrett and men and women like him in Emergency Services provide to the rest of us the finest examples of Canadian values.
I implore you to examine this matter and come to the same conclusion I have. Also, I respectfully ask that you consider that the 2-year limit for such applications is too short given how long it takes for some court cases to conclude.
Most Respectfully,"
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