Award for bravery Dawn Drennan honoured by national police organization

Ken Johnston

It is not a day that Dawn Drennan likes to think about but last week her quick and brave actions earned her a very prestigious honour.
It was nearly a year to the day when she was presented an Award of Excellence from the Canadian Professional Police Association (CPPA) for her actions involving an accident at the Eugene LaCroix residence about 15 miles north of Rainy River.
LaCroix, 77 at the time, was feeding his outdoor wood stove on the morning of April 4, 2005. The stove, about 15 metres from his home, was used to heat it. Part of his routine of getting the fire going was to put old motor oil into the stove. There may have been gasoline in the oil as it ignited instantly throwing LaCroix back and causing his clothes to ignite.
Drennan who works as a Security Officer for the local Ontario Provincial Police detachment, part time at the Rainy River Record and as a teller at the Rainy River CIBC happened to be passing by on her way to work at the bank. She saw him on fire and immediately stopped to assist. She yelled at him to drop and roll on the ground. He was walking towards his home with his clothes on fire. He did so and she removed his burning clothes as they fell off him. She then went into the house and called 911 and proceeded to take a wet blanket out and cover him until help arrived. Together with his wife she poured several pails full of water over him.
They stayed with him to comfort him until emergency services arrived on the scene. Although he had sustained burns to 95% of his body he was still conscious and talking. He was transported to hospital in Rainy River and several hours later succumbed to his severe burn injuries.
Last Wednesday Drennan along with four other police officers from across the country was presented with the CPPA Award of Excellence at a regal ceremony in Ottawa. Her and her husband Bennett were flown from Fort Frances to Ottawa for the event where Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day and CPPA President Tony Cannavino made the presentations.
Dawn never expected to be honoured in this way and when she first heard she was going to be was uneasy about it. “I had trouble with it but after receiving letters from them (CPPA) I soon realized that I did all that I could that day,” said Dawn.
Dawn returned home on Thursday and went back to work at the bank Friday. However, on June 1st she will be honoured again for her bravery by the Canadian Red Cross Society. This time in Kenora.
The CPPA said, “Dawn Drennan displayed courage, and presence of mind trying to save a life. Her actions underscore a commitment and willingness to place herself in harm’s way to help others.”
This is the first time a civilian has ever received this award and only 96 people from across the country have ever received it.