Lethbridge Police officers recognized for dedicated efforts removing impaired drivers from the road

Seven Lethbridge Police officers were recognized with Cpl. Cumming’s Watch awards for their efforts detecting and removing impaired drivers from the road – including the officer with the most charges laid in Alberta in 2024. 

Established in 2015, the Cpl. Cumming’s Watch is a collaborative initiative between MADD Canada, Alberta RCMP, and Alberta Transportation, Office of Traffic Safety in honour of Cpl. Graeme Cumming, a member of the RCMP who was killed on duty by an impaired driver on Highway 3 near Lethbridge in 1998. The award program recognizes Alberta police officers for their efforts to prevent the deaths and injuries caused by impaired drivers.

Nominations for Cpl. Cumming’s Watch are open to every police agency in Alberta. Officers who charge between 15 and 24 impaired drivers during a calendar year, or conduct between 5 and 10 drug recognition evaluations, receive a certificate of recognition and a silver challenge coin. Officers who charge 25 or more impaired drivers, or conduct more than 10 DREs will receive a certificate of recognition and a gold challenge coin.

The following officers were recognized for their effort in 2024: 

Cst. Brent Paxman (Gold) – charged 94 impaired drivers, the most by any officer in Alberta. 
Cst. Shaun McCarthy (Gold) – charged 30 impaired drivers
Cst. Mike Dowsley (Gold) – charged 28 impaired drivers
Cst. Jack Krysztofiak (Silver) – charged 19 impaired drivers
Cst. Josh Smith (Silver) – charged 17 impaired drivers 
Cst. Barent Goodrich (Silver) – conducted 9 drug recognition evaluations
Cst. Mackenzie Morisseau (Silver) – conducted 5 drug recognition evaluations

“Each impaired driver these officers take off the road represents a potential tragedy that has been prevented.,” said Anita Huchala, President of MADD Lethbridge and Area Chapter, who presented the awards. “Because of their efforts, a family may be spared the heartbreak of losing a loved one or coping with the devastating consequences of an impaired driving crash. We are profoundly grateful not only to the officers recognized today, but to all officers across Canada who remain committed to keeping our roads safe for everyone.”

The Lethbridge Police Service is grateful to MADD for their tireless efforts raising awareness, providing education, assisting during Check Stops and working within the community to prevent and eliminate impaired driving.

Anyone who observes a suspected impaired driver, should call 911. We also ask the community to refrain from sharing the location of any Check Stop on social media as doing so assists impaired drivers avoid detection and puts all road users at risk.