Canadian Sergeant at Arms

[Texas Star]

I think this hero is only 57.

Doesn't US Federal LE have to retire at 57? I know that one of our FBI members is approaching that age and has mentioned it.

Any RCMP here? What's the retirement age there? And how long has Vickers had his present job?

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

Where does that decoration rank? Is it a civilian award? I think Australia modified the award of the VC to indicate a more Aussie name. Did Canada also do that? Several Aussies have received the VC in Iraq or Afghanistan. But it was for military valor.

I think the British dropped the old Distinguished Service Order as second to the VC and have a new award in its place, for all ranks.

It's the second highest and superceded only by the Victoria Cross. It is the highest award that can be given a civilian in Canada.

From what the requirements state, SAA Vickers certainly meets and surpasses the criteria. I figure something will come before Canada's Parliament in short order and whatever it will probably pass unianimously.

 

[Texas Star]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Valour_(Canada)

Here's the Wiki entry on the Cross and a list of the 20 present recipients. I agree that Vickers will probably be the 21st.

 

[the ringo kid]

Maybe he is also eligable for the George Cross-which is the civilian version of the Victoria Cross.

 

[george minze]

Strange isn't it...A very brave and dedicated man took the needed action to stop what would have been much more serious. , Mr, Vickers eliminated any further danger to probably many more victims..The Canadians seemed to understand the action Mr Vickers took....They seemed generally thankful for his actions...I wonder if our legislators would have been thankful in unison..Or would have some found some fault in his actions....We sometimes seem so short sighted it amazes me....Our memories also seen sometimes very short sighted........I was very proud of his genuine humbleness, and of the reception by Parliament, to a person it appeared. I applaud him, and I applaud the members of parliament......

 

[rwsmith]

This is called.....

A Canadian friend of mine reported that Sgt. Vickers shot the bad guy twice in the chest and once in the head. With his issued S&W 9mm. Which from the one picture I saw is probably a 5946 or 5943.

This is called the 'Mozambique Drill'. Michael Rousseau, a mercenary from Rhodesia invented it to stop determined guerrillas. A double tap and if that doesn't stop them, a head shot. Jeff Cooper called it the 'triple tap'. Rousseau was KIA in the Rhodesian War.

The model 594X is likely as they were issued to Mounties. I love my 5943.

 

[rwsmith]

That is ......

"The "Sgt. At Arms" is usually, in normal times, NOT armed. Usually he is only armed with a Ceremonial Mace but about 30 years ago there was a mentally unbalanced soldier who took over the Quebec Legislature, killing 3 and wounding 13 in the process. While he was spraying and shooting up the Council Chamber, the Sgt at Arms coolly walked in and demanded to know what is the meaning of this outrage, and in his best military voice ordered the soldier to stand down.

The shooter was persuaded to go to the Sgt at Arms' office to discuss what he had done. After 4 hours of persuasion he surrendered amid many tears of contrition . The unarmed Sgt at Arms, Maj. Rene Jalbert, was a much decorated war hero with 5 years of combat in WWll and 2 years in the Korean conflict. He took this ceremonial job as a plum reward for his heroic and outstanding service to our country.

Major Jalbert was awarded our country's highest bravery medal, to go with his many others. More importantly after that, most, if not all, sergeants at arms are armed."

That is too cool even for TV or a movie.