INNISFAIL – Jackson Haddow is a 27-year-old RCMP constable with six years’ experience who can now add hero to his resume.
But the young Innisfail Mountie is clearly not seeking that title.
He just wants to do the best job he can with the training he has to serve the community he’s tasked to patrol.
His training includes comprehensive, state-of-the-art first aid and CPR training programs from St. John Ambulance, an international charitable organization dating back to 1877 that provides first aid education and emergency medical services.
It was the summer of 2022 when Haddow and his partner, then with the Wabasca RCMP detachment, were called to attend a medical emergency.
“There was a young person in our community that was having issues and was in medical distress,” said Haddow, adding they were first on the scene. “I reverted back to my training when we arrived on scene and was able to provide first aid that assisted in the process of rendering her safe and healthy.”
That was almost three years ago.
While he had immediate professional satisfaction that his life-saving response ended well, his job in the Wabasca community continued with many new daily assignments.
There was little time to overthink his potentially life-saving duty to the young grateful Wabasca citizen.
In 2023, Haddow was transferred to the Innisfail RCMP detachment, a community where he was raised and where his family still resides.
For the past two years Haddow has already earned the respect from the community and his fellow detachment members.
And then on May 27 when he arrived at work for his shift, detachment commander Staff Sgt. Ian Ihme wanted to have a word.
Ihme promptly and proudly told him he was a silver pin winner for a St. John Ambulance Lifesaving Award, which is earned for an act where life was saved or attempted to be saved using first aid, but where there was no risk to life.
“Nobody does this job for recognition or for awards, but it’s definitely nice, especially when an outside agency recognizes one of our guys is doing a good job,” said Ihme. “We often hear more criticism than we do praise, which comes with the job.
“It's a nice reminder that the things we do, do make a difference,” he added. “It’s nice to hear that positive feedback.”
As for Haddow, he only wants to serve his community the best he can, and he gives credit to his uncle, a former police officer.
“That’s what led me to this career,” said Haddow. “I saw all the changes he got to make, and all the lives he got to effectively help or provide some assistance to.
“I just I love being a police officer, and I love being able to do good by my community, being able to come home and provide that in my hometown.”
