Star of Courage Back Where It Belongs
The Star of Courage honouring a murdered Cobourg Police officer is back where it belongs.
Today’s Northumberland first reported on December 13, 2018 that a replica of the Star of Courage had been in a closet at the Cobourg Police Station for at least a year waiting for renovations to take place at the station.
The heroism medal had been on display for several years at the Cobourg Police Station on King Street honouring Cobourg Police Constable Chris Garrett who was murdered in the early hours of May 15, 2004.
Though mortally wounded, Garrett fired his service weapon at his assailant striking him in the leg.
Troy Davey, who was 18-years-old at the time of the crime was convicted of first degree murder.
The original Star of Courage was presented posthumously in June 2009 by the Governor General of Canada Michelle Jean to Constable Garrett’s son Ben and Garrett’s father Gord in Rideau Hall, Ottawa.
In the following months, a framed copy of the Star of Courage medal, along with other items honouring the fallen officer were placed on a wall at the Cobourg Police Station.
Numerous officers had said the items were removed pending renovations at the Cobourg Police Station. The Star of Courage had been in a closet at the police station for at least one year.
Days after Today’s Northumberland reported the story, the Star of Courage was placed back on the wall on the second floor of the police service.
“The replica display has been taken out of storage and is on display in a temporary location within the station,” Cobourg Police Chief Kai Liu stated in a e-mail to Today’s Northumberland on January 11, 2019.
Chief Liu stated on a local radio station in December 2018, when renovations are complete, there will be a training room dedicated to Constable Garrett at the police station.
“Originally this medal was posted in a prominent place within the police station, but it was behind secure doors,” Chief Liu stated on radio.
“In the plans, there will be a “Wall of Honour” displaying both Constable Chris Garrett and William Rourke (who died suffering a heart attack carrying an impaired man back to the jail at Victoria Hall on September 24, 1915) in the public area of the station.”
In addition to that, Chief Liu stated there will be a custom designed eight foot glass display case currently being designed and the awards and medals will be put into the glass display case and will be placed underneath the stairwell for the public to view at they enter the police station.
Previous story http://www.todaysnorthumberland.ca/2018/12/13/star-of-courage-for-fallen-officer-in-closet-at-cobourg-police-station/
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love