Family devastated by impaired driving commends 14 Saskatoon officers

After losing their son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren in an impaired driving in 2016, the Van de Vorst family is commending 14 Saskatoon police officers for their work.

Saskatoon Police Chief Troy Cooper said he is amazed at the strength of the Van de Vorst family and their continued campaign against impaired driving.

“They come to the office, they tell their story to the officers. It’s incredibly compelling,” Cooper said. “I can’t believe that they are willing to expose their trauma over and over.”

The Van de Vorst Award of Excellence presents challenge coins to police officers who have shown great merit in their enforcement of impaired driving each year.

Cooper said that is based on the officers’ efforts to combat impaired driving on the road.

Lou and Linda Van de Vorst lost four loved ones to an impaired driver. They have made it a life mission to make a difference for other families. Thank u for recognizing officers who excel at these investigations @MaddSaskatoon pic.twitter.com/XaJ9KHr19v

— Chief Troy Cooper (@Cooper_Chief) June 23, 2022

Seven Saskatoon police officers were recognized this week, and Cooper said the other seven will be presented with their challenge coins later in the month.

Cooper shared the event to his social media account, saying he wanted to acknowledge the family “for doing that and living through the trauma initially, and using that as a life mission.”

The police chief said he’s also proud of his officers.

When working on impaired driving cases, Cooper said the legislation is complex and the files are very time-consuming for officers.

“It’s just so very much (an) important part of what we do, and it has so much impact on families,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity for us to hear directly from someone who was impacted by a crime and really personally feel the acknowledgement of the work they’re doing.”