Windsor Police Officers Earn Lifesaving Honors for Detroit River Rescue
Four Windsor police officers have been formally recognized for their heroic actions in rescuing a man from the Detroit River nearly three years ago. Constables Ryan Coughlin, Abraham Nyamadi, Jeff Theriault, and Mark Turkalj received St. John Ambulance Lifesaving Awards during a Windsor Police Service Board meeting at city hall on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The ceremony highlighted their teamwork and dedication in a challenging emergency situation.
Overcoming Obstacles in a Critical Rescue
In August 2023, the officers responded to reports of a man who had entered the Detroit River. According to Constable Nyamadi, the rescue involved navigating multiple significant obstacles. The officers had to run a considerable distance to the scene due to a lack of vehicle access, scale a large fence, and operate in darkness with limited lighting. Nyamadi noted that the timing, later in the evening, added to the difficulty, though he expressed relief it did not occur during winter, which would have posed even greater risks.
Upon arrival, the officers found the man unresponsive in the water, having drifted into a fenced area several feet below a break wall. Quick thinking led to one officer being lowered into the water to secure the individual. Nyamadi described the scene, stating, "Once we got there, at the edge of the break wall, the water level was about four or five feet down from where we were standing, so the officers had to lower another officer down into the water to grab onto the individual who was unresponsive."
Teamwork and Life-Saving Measures
With coordinated effort, the officer in the water grabbed hold of the man, and with assistance from colleagues above, both were pulled back onto land. The officers immediately began life-saving measures, administering CPR until Essex-Windsor EMS arrived to transport the man to the hospital. Nyamadi emphasized the collaborative nature of the rescue, saying, "We really had to work together as a team and overcome some obstacles in order to rescue this individual."
Reflecting on the award, Nyamadi expressed humility, noting that such actions are part of daily police work. "It's good to be recognized, but that's not the reason why we do our job," he said. "This is something that we do every day. You know, they're not always on this scale, but we police officers in the city are out there saving lives every single day." He added that officers often respond to emergencies before specialized teams like fire or EMS, underscoring their vital role in community safety.
The recognition serves as a testament to the bravery and professionalism of the Windsor Police Service, highlighting their commitment to public service in critical moments.
