The widow of St. Albert Const. David Wynn has started a petition to drum up support for Auxiliary Const. Derek Bond to be awarded a medal of bravery.
Shelly MacInnis Wynn started the petition last week, after receiving news in July that her late husband would be receiving the Governor General’s Medal of Bravery but Bond would not, even though she had submitted his name for the award.
In January 2015, Shawn Rehn – a man with a lengthy criminal history who was out on bail – shot first Bond and then Wynn inside the Apex Casino. Wynn died from his injuries; Bond survived, but the bullet punctured him in six places.
Bond spoke with the Gazette last month to share his experiences since the shooting. He said his life has been changed forever, he suffers PTSD from that night and had to stop working and retire at 50 because of the shooting.
MacInnis Wynn said it was heartbreaking to find out Bond did not receive the medal.
“It was very hurtful and very surprising, especially after I watched the video footage from the casino and what actually happened and took place that evening.“It was very evident that Derek deserves to have that Medal of Bravery. He went in there with no protection ... and he did it willingly.”
MacInnis Wynn and Bond reached out to the Governor General's office to find out why only Wynn was granted the award. They said they were told that because Bond didn't know Rehn had a gun at that time, he didn't intentionally put himself in harm's way that evening.
MacInnis Wynn said that doesn't make any difference to her: Bond bravely went into a potentially dangerous situation as an auxiliary constable.
Certificate of commendation
Rather than receive the Medal of Bravery, Bond is set to be awarded a certificate of commendation, which a letter addressed to Bond said is issued to individuals who “despite the minimal risk to their lives, have made a significant contribution by providing assistance to another person in a selfless manner, or have actively participated in a rescue operation."
MacInnis Wynn said the letter is a “kick in the stomach” because it does not recognize the major sacrifice Bond made and will continue to make for the rest of his life.
“They were both doing their job and putting themselves in harm's way, not knowing what the outcome was going to be,” MacInnis Wynn said.
“Derek went in there as a volunteer with no protection on himself. That in itself deserves a medal of bravery, as far as I’m concerned.”
Bond said it feels pretty good to have MacInnis Wynn in his corner, advocating for him to get the award.
“She’s the only one sticking up for me,” Bond said.
“It's nice that she's doing what she's doing with all the other (stuff) that she has going on in her life."
Bond said it has been amazing to see the signatures on the petition and the comments people have left for him. The retired auxiliary constable said some of the comments almost moved him to tears.
“I am overwhelmed because I read all the comments on the petition and some of the comments are just amazing and some are from members I used to ride with,” Bond said.
MacInnis Wynn said it would mean a lot if Bond could receive the medal along with her late husband.
“They were together that night. Derek was there to the last moments of my husband technically being alive. I feel like he should be receiving this award because it was a partnership, they were acting together.
“We should be thankful (that Bond is alive) and honour the fact that he's still here and he has to live with those memories for the rest of his life.”
Jennifer Henderson is the Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for Great West Newspapers, covering rural Alberta issues.
