Image: Ridge Meadows RCMP / Provided / Insp. Martin Guay, Indiana Gerard, Chloe He, Sophia Jasemianaasi, S/Sgt. Mike Kwan, and Sgt. Marcel Pinto at award ceremony.
CIVILIAN BRAVERY

Local youth honoured for selfless actions during drowning in Maple Ridge

Nov 8, 2025 | 8:25 AM

MAPLE RIDGE — Ridge Meadows RCMP have recognized three civilian teens for their bravery in a crisis this past summer.

On July 31, police responded to a drowning at Alouette Lake when a man reportedly fell from a paddleboard into the water and did not come back up.

Indiana Gerard, Chloe He and Sophia Jasemianaasl were all out on the water at the time and immediately went to help the victim’s family in distress.

Search and Rescue conducted grid searches of the water, and the trio helped the Dive Team when RCMP’s Underwater Recovery Unit was deployed.

The group later returned to support recovery efforts when the man was eventually found deceased.

“The actions of these three young people exemplify the highest standards of the RCMP,” said Ridge Meadows RCMP Insp. Martin Guay. “They placed the needs of others above their own, and it is individuals like them who strengthen our community and humanity as a whole.”

All three have since received Officer in Charge Certificate of Appreciation awards in a special ceremony held earlier this week.