Scarborough officers honoured for trying to help fallen colleague

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Mounted unit officer Michael Stavrakis was patrolling the Lawrence Avenue and Kingston Road area when he heard the revving of a van engine and then a crash on Feb. 24, 2006.

"I looked in the direction of the collision and saw two bodies flying in the air. It seemed like two people," the constable recalled. "I realized moments later who the two bodies were; my colleague and (police horse) Brigadier."

The van that struck the horse fled the scene.

The impact caused Const. Kevin Bradfield to be thrown off Brigadier, resulting in injuries to his chest, back and legs.

"Officer Bradfield was barely crawling on his hands and knees and then collapsed," Stavrakis said. "(Bradfield) was not responding to my questions. He was in too much pain."

Stavrakis along with fellow constables Ronald Gilbert and Kristopher McCarthy tended to Bradfield until paramedics arrived. They then turned their attention to Brigadier, who was thrashing about in an attempt to stand up.

"We threw our bodies onto Brigadier to keep him from further hurting himself and others," said Stavrakis, noting the horse's two front legs were "completely shattered."

Brigadier was later put down.

A 42-year-old man was charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harm and failing to stop after an accident.

"I didn't feel the impact of that day's event until three days later when I wrote a poem for Brigadier. Like a floodgate, it all came out as I wrote the words," Stavrakis said.

"Everyone loved the horse. His personality was more gentle than some of the other horses."

Stavrakis, Gilbert and McCarthy were among 23 officers honoured Tuesday, May 13 during a ceremony at police headquarters.

"It's bittersweet. It's nice to be recognized by my peers and by the community, but at the same time reflecting on what happened still brings on sadness," Stavrakis said. "The attachment we have to the horses is not unlike a family pet, but it is also like a colleague."

An officer of the year will be chosen from among Tuesday's award recipients on June 12.