Edmonton police officers were among nearly 80 law enforcement personnel from across Alberta honored at the annual Cpl. Cummings Watch Awards on Wednesday for their dedication to preventing impaired driving fatalities. The ceremony, hosted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), took place at the Royal Hotel West near 100 Avenue and 178 Street in Edmonton.
Recognition for Outstanding Enforcement
The awards recognize officers who go above and beyond to remove impaired drivers from Alberta roads, according to a MADD news release. Officers who charged between 15 and 24 impaired drivers in 2025 received a Silver Challenge Coin, while those who charged 25 or more received a Gold Challenge Coin. Nearly 80 officers from all police agencies across the province were honored.
Impact of Impaired Driving
Supt. Matt Hart, officer in charge with Alberta Traffic, highlighted the severity of the issue at the awards. "Impaired driving remains the leading cause of death for drivers aged 16 to 25, and in 55 per cent of those cases, drugs and or alcohol were a factor," he said. "All of that can be prevented with better education and awareness from family, sports teams, TV, radio, and social media, all working together positively to convince young people to make smarter choices."
History of the Awards
The Cpl. Cummings Watch Awards were established in 2015 to honor RCMP officer Cpl. Cummings, who was killed in 1998 by an impaired driver while trying to help gather a hay bale that had fallen onto Highway 3 near Lethbridge. The awards serve as a reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving and the importance of enforcement.
Personal Stories of Loss
Attendees also heard from Lynda McCullough, whose daughter Jennifer Leigh was killed 20 years ago in a head-on collision with a drunk driver. McCullough shared her story and expressed gratitude toward the officers. "This event lets me see each year how dedicated the police are to preventing impaired driving," McCullough said. "Please know how much we appreciate you. If you prevent only one impaired driver from causing inevitable pain and suffering, you are also preventing a vast amount of people from suffering forever."
The ceremony underscored the ongoing commitment of Alberta law enforcement to combat impaired driving and save lives on the province's roads.
