17 law enforcement officers were recognized for removing impaired drivers from the road. (Photo: Lethbridge Police Service)

By David Opinko

Southern Alberta police honoured for catching impaired drivers

Jun 20, 2024 | 1:58 PM

Several law enforcement officers from southern Alberta were celebrated for their efforts to detect and apprehend impaired drivers.

A ceremony was held at the Lethbridge Police Service station on Thursday.

The Cpl. Cumming’s Watch, created in 2015, aims to support police efforts in the detection and apprehension of impaired drivers on Alberta roadways.

The award is named after Cpl. Graeme Cumming, an RCMP officer who was killed on-duty by an impaired driver on Highway 3 near Lethbridge on August 12, 1998.

It is a collaborative effort between the Alberta RCMP, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada, and Alberta Transportation.

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Officers who charge more than 25 impaired drivers during a calendar year, or who identify 10 or more for drug evaluation, receive a Gold Challenge Coin. Those who charge between 15 and 24 impaired drivers, or identify between five and 10 for drug evaluation, receive a Silver Challenge Coin.

A total of 17 members were awarded the Cpl. Cumming’s Watch, including:

• From the Lethbridge Police Service
  • Cst. Mike Dowsley (Gold) – 26 impaired drivers charged
  • Cst. Barent Goodrich (Silver) – 7 Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluations
  • Cst. Shaun McCarthy (Gold) – 35 impaired drivers charged
  • Cst. Brent Paxman (Gold) – 51 impaired drivers charged
  • Cst. Jason Roth (Gold) – 30 impaired drivers charged
  • Cst. Josh Smith (Silver) – 15 impaired drivers charged
• From the Blood Tribe Police
  • Acting Sgt. Donald Roper (Gold) – 10 DRE evaluations
  • Cst. Coral Fenner (Gold) – 25 impaired drivers charged
    (First Indigenous female officer to receive the award)
• From the Alberta Sheriffs
  • Sgt. Kayla Campbell (Silver) – 16 impaired drivers charged
  • Sheriff Don Naylor (Silver) – 15 impaired drivers charged
  • Sheriff Jeff Topping (Gold) – 25 impaired drivers charged

Though not able to attend the ceremony, the following officers are also Cpl. Cummings Watch recipients:

• From the Medicine Hat Police Service:
  • Cst. Robert Angstadt (Gold) – 81 impaired drivers charged
  • Cst. Noel Darr (Silver) – 16 impaired drivers charged
  • Cst. David Smith (Gold) – 27 impaired drivers charged
    AND (Gold) – 14 DRE evaluations
  • Cst. Jordan Wyton (Silver) – 15 impaired drivers charged
• From the Coaldale RCMP Detachment:
  • Cst. Dave Payne (Silver) – 17 impaired drivers charged
  • Cst. Kyle Ruiters (Gold) – 38 impaired drivers charged

MADD Lethbridge and Area Chapter President Anita Huchala says every impaired driver they take off the roads is another possible tragedy avoided.

“A family may not have to mourn the loss of their loved one or suffer with serious injuries an impaired crash may have caused,” says Huchala.

She continues, “In honour of Cpl Graeme Cumming, who was tragically killed in an impaired crash August 12, 1998 near Lethbridge, and the many victims and survivors caused by impaired driving across Canada, we are grateful for the efforts of not only these Officers who received awards today, but all the officers across Canada who are committed to ensuring our roads, waterways and back country trails are safe for us all.”

A total of 277 impaired drivers were taken off the road in Lethbridge in 2023, a decrease of nearly three per cent from the year before.