Stanley Cup Riot heroes honoured
Posted January 9, 2013 12:40 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – They were bystanders who decided to take a stand in the middle of chaos. More than two dozen people have been honoured for taking action during the Stanley Cup Riot.
Bert Easterbrook is just one example of someone who intervened as the crowd got out of control after Game 7 between the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks during the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.
He stepped in as people tried to flip over a truck and even removed burning debris from inside. “My grandfather used to be with the VPD so looking out for my city and trying to police the line.”
Civilian Chris Ivany was assaulted while stopping rioters from using wood to smash a store window. Ivany says he felt compelled to step in to do what was right, but he’s critical of the police effort that night arguing it should have never come down to regular, unarmed people putting their own lives at risk.
The Vancouver Police Department also awarded two police officers the chief constable’s commendation for their devotion to duty during the riot.
Constable Mike Laurin was at home when the melee broke out, he reported into work and then ended up with a brick to the head.
Laurin faced the rowdy crowd that was smashing its way into a sports store. He didn’t see the brick come at him. Despite blood pouring out of his head, Laurin stood his ground. He’s now among the officers honoured for their actions.
