In recognition of his courage, resilience and strength, 17-year-old Wes Johnson has been welcomed into the St. Thomas Police Service family as an Honourary Cadet.
At a ceremony Thursday at the police station, Chief Marc Roskamp observed that the St. Thomas teen embodies the core values of policing: compassion and service to others.
Johnson was born with a congenital heart condition, explained Roskamp.
Roskamp continued, “Granting him the title of Honourary Cadet is more than symbolic. It reflects our respect for his journey, our admiration for his strength, and our commitment to stand with Wes and his family.”
The terminally ill Johnson was decked out in his St. Thomas Police Service uniform, which included his name tag.
He proudly pointed to the tattoo on his left arm and spoke of the symbolism, including the skyline of Toronto, a Blue Jays feather, and his heartbeat track underneath it.
Roskamp stressed that moments like this highlight the human side of policing and reinforce the St. Thomas Police Service’s role in supporting and uplifting the community.
Roskamp observed that the teen, “Reminds us why we wear the badge, to support, to serve, and to stand alongside members of our community in both their most difficult and most meaningful moments.”
Written by Ian McCallum
