In recognition of his courage, resilience and strength, 17-year-old Wes Johnson was welcomed into the St. Thomas Police Service family as an Honourary Cadet back in March of this year.
At a ceremony held on March 26 at the police station, Chief Marc Roskamp observed that the St. Thomas teen embodies the core value of policing: compassion and service to others.
“Wes was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a serious congenital heart condition,” explained Roskamp. “He has undergone multiple surgeries and ongoing treatments throughout his life.
“Despite these challenges, Wes continues to demonstrate remarkable determination, positivity and strength, inspiring all those around him.”
During the ceremony, Roskamp stressed, “Wes, your courage and your strength and your journey have not gone unnoticed. You have faced challenges that would overwhelm many, and yet, you continue to move forward with grace and determination.”
Friday afternoon (May 8), we learned this brave cadet had succumbed to his heart ailment.
The message posted on the St. Thomas Police Service Facebook page sums it up best.
“Rest easy, Wes. We’ve got it from here.”
Written by Ian McCallum
