Police officer recognized with Ontario Medal of Police Bravery

By Ron Giofu

A Windsor police officer with Amherstburg roots has received a prestigious award from the province.

Sr. Const. William “B.J.” Wiley was presented an Ontario Medal for Police Bravery last Thursday in Toronto. He was one of 21 police officers in Ontario to receive the award while 13 firefighters province-wide received an Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery.

Wiley was recognized for his work in saving a man’s life in 2021. Wiley was off-duty and travelling with his family along a very remote section of a highway on June 12, 2021, when he spotted a vehicle on fire. The provincial award announcement notes that inside the car was a lone elderly driver who appeared panicked and unable to exit the vehicle. Wiley ignored his own safety and approached the vehicle and noticed the doors were locked, the window partially down and the driver tangled in the seatbelt. Constable Wiley could feel the intense heat from the vehicle fire as he worked to rescue the driver.

“Racing against time, Constable Wiley began to remove the man through the partially opened window. As he was being pulled out, the driver’s foot caught the interior of the door, which opened the door. As his family watched, Constable Wiley was able to drag the man to safety before the vehicle exploded,” the announcement stated.

Wiley becomes one of only 315 recipients of an Ontario Medal for Police Bravery since its inception in 1975. Only 260 Ontario Medals for Firefighter Bravery have been awarded.

The awards were presented at a special ceremony at Queen’s Park, hosted by Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell.

“I have spent much time thinking about the constant risks and dangers that first responders face. Our province has benefitted greatly from their service, and today, we recognize the remarkable bravery of 34 police officers and firefighters from across Ontario,” said Dowdeswell. “In accepting these medals, I hope that these brave men and women will re-commit themselves to serving the public with integrity, knowing that their accomplishments will help motivate a new generation of Ontarians to join their ranks – looking to follow their example.”

“Ontario is fortunate to be home to the best police officers and firefighters in the country,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “When confronted with the perils these men and women faced, most of us would have hesitated – they didn’t. They ran toward danger. And for that we honour them with the province’s highest award for bravery – their work is an inspiration to us all. On behalf of a grateful province, we thank them for their dedication to their communities and their extraordinary courage.”

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