Locals honoured by Windsor Police for service in the community

Community heroes were honoured by Windsor Police Service at a luncheon Tuesday afternoon.

Community heroes were honoured by Windsor Police Service (WPS) at a luncheon Tuesday afternoon.

The gathering was an opportunity for the WPS to recognize outstanding contributions made by local partners, organizations and citizens in Windsor and Amherstburg.

One of those honoured was auxiliary officer and small business owner Gerges Salloum, who stopped an armed robbery by two masked men - while off duty. He was able to disarm both suspects with both his mother and father in the store at the time of the crime. Soon after the incident the police were able to apprehend the alleged offenders and charge them with over 40 offences.

For Salloum, his training helped him act in stressful situations, but he just wanted to make sure that his parents would not be harmed.

“All I was thinking about my mom and my dad,” said Salloum.

“I didn’t want them to, you know - injure them or, you know, shoot the gun at them. So, I did what I had to do to protect my, mom and my store.”

In addition, the staff at Armando’s Pizzeria were given awards for saving the lives of two men who fell into the Detroit River.

The honourees also included Windsor Regional Hospital and Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare for their contributions in the community.