They ran into burning buildings, saved a drowning man and climbed on a roof to rescue a suicidal teen.
These were among the acts of bravery, lifesaving and years of service honoured Thursday evening at the Barrie Police Service Awards Night.
Both citizens and police received recognition.
Civilian call-taker Linda Speers answered a 911 call from a man who said he wanted to report a murder.
The 911 operator was honoured for her calm demeanour, line of questioning and information gleaned that wound up being essential at trial.
Const. Troy Leach and Const. John Parliament were honoured for bravery for rescuing a woman and her two young children from their gasoline-doused home and then pulling her common-law husband from "within the flames" of the burning garage he had set on fire.
A group of citizens and lifeguards were recognized for saving a man's life at Centennial Beach.
James Babcock, Renee Bougeois, Adam Lukaszek, Jennifer McKee, Samuel Owen and Kayla Van Shubert all teamed up on July 2, 2015 to rescue and then revive a man who had disappeared beneath the water.
It was described as "scene out of a horror film" that prompted Anne and Brian Walton to selflessly offer shelter, first aid and kindness on a bitterly cold night to the severely burned victims of an explosion and house fire on March 13, 2015.
The couple was honoured with a Citizens Award.
Shane Degrace and Aaron Smith received Bravery Awards for helping victims of a fire.
Lifesaving Awards went to Const. Blair King and Const. Gary McAloney who climbed up on a roof where a suicidal teen was threatening to jump.
The officers negotiated for 15 minutes before helping the distraught teen off the roof to safety.
Const. Blake Pyatt and Auxiliary Josh Ford were honoured for bravery when responding to a car roll-over, gas pouring out of a ruptured tank, the pair cut the driver out of his seatbelt and pulled him to safety.
Nearly 50 awards were handed out at the Lion's Gate Banquet Hall with Chief Kimberley Greenwood on hand to salute and congratulate the honourees along with members of the Police Services Board.
Const. Justin Ford was honoured for a ground-breaking investigation into fentanyl trafficking.
Const. Michelle Jansen was recognized for her work on a human trafficking investigation.
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre received a Civilian Agency Award for the Transfer of Care Program for people in a mental health crisis.
The final award of the night was to honour Police Dog Tex, who is retiring after ten years of service.
With his handler Const. Cameron Cooper at his side, the crowd heard about Tex's career of "having fun chasing bad guys."
Tex also successfully located two missing women who had wandered off a trail.
He also was part of the Brandon Crisp missing person case and the Alexandra Flanagan homicide investigation.
"We wish Tex a long, happy and healthy retirement," said Master of Ceremonies Sgt. Rose Richter.
