On Feb. 14, at around 9:30 a.m. Const. Justin Depew and Const. Ryan Kniepkamp were on patrol when they came across a stalled truck on Laity Street just north of Dewdney Trunk Road.
The truck was awkwardly positioned and they stopped to investigate. The driver, a local mom with her two young kids safely secure in their car seats, had run out of gas.
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“If things weren’t bad enough, she had just gotten off the phone with road-side assistance only to learn there was over a two-hour wait for help. This is every parents’ worst nightmare!” said a police press release from Sgt. Brenda Gresiuk.
One of the worst winter storms of the year had left behind slippery, slushy roads, near freezing temperatures and long waits for tow trucks.
The officers sensed the mother was at a loss of what to do next so, so they jumped into action and started pushing the truck. Two other motorists joined to help, and together they all safely pushed the truck across Dewdney Trunk Road to a safer location.
To get this family on their way, Const. Depew drove to a nearby convenience store to purchase a jerry can, and then to a gas station to buy fuel. He returned to the stranded vehicle, got the truck started and sent them on their way.
“Police work is varied and not always only about catching the bad guys. This is who we are and what we do and so, yesterday was a good day at work. Let’s all be safe and take care of one another,” said Gresiuk.