Two men who tackled a gun-wielding suspect after a nightclub shooting last February are among civilians and officers being honoured Thursday for stopping crime and helping Vancouver police.
The 2012 Vancouver Police Department Commendation Ceremony held at the Yaletown Roundhouse recognized some brave officers and citizens "who have gone beyond the call."
James Furtado and Jeffrey Cook were awarded the Certificate of Merit -- the highest Vancouver police award for civilian bravery.
In February 2011, the two bouncers witnessed a drunken man who had been refused entry into a nearby downtown Vancouver nightclub return with a gun and shoot the doorman twice in the leg.
When the out-of-control man turned the gun on the crowd, Furtado and Cook began to chase him down the street while he continued to fire back at them.
Furtado said he acted simply because he didn't want his friend to get hurt.
"I feared that Jeff was going to get hurt so I started running too," said Furtado. "I chased him through the laneways and streets until his gun didn't go off and was just clicking. We charged him and took him down on the street and choked him to hold until police came."
Police said the man was arrested for attempted murder and multiple firearms charges, and stressed that the shooting may have had a tragic end without such a heroic act.
Furtado said the award gave him a sense of closure after he suffered traumatic stress following the event.
Another recommendation went to Tim Jones of North Shore Rescue as the police department announced their gratitude for his time partnering with police to find missing persons.
Jones said he was honoured to receive the citation and for rescue team efforts to be awarded by the police who are the experts in their field.
"I think that's why we're here today because they [Vancouver police] really appreciate what we've done for them," said Jones. "For the amount of work we put into helping them in some very stressful situations when family members lose their loved ones."
