As a boy growing up in Squamish, James Splinter was always known as a good Samaritan, and now the RCMP has officially recognized him as a hero.
On May 27, Splinter received an RCMP Commanding Officer's commendation award for bravery at a ceremony in Whitehorse.
Splinter became an RCMP officer in 2001 and he immediately made his mark. During his first post in New Hazelton, Splinter and two other officers were called to the home of a couple whose adult son was destroying the home with an axe while high on drugs. Police officers surrounded the man who begged to be shot and killed, while threatening officers with the axe. The officers had their weapons drawn and Splinter tried to "talk him down" and when the man threw the axe at an officer and attempted to flee, Splinter tackled him and transported him to hospital.
Splinter shrugged off the recognition by saying it happened a long time ago.
"Of course it was scary when it happened," he said, adding that he's come to terms with the situation and can even see some humour in it now.
Splinter's father, Bob, says it's no surprise that his son would be humble about his heroism.
"I've seen him work and that's the way he is," he said. "Calm, cool, very professional. That's why the RCMP accepted him as a member."
Splinter is now posted in Pelly Crossing, Yukon, population 185. He's been there one year and intends to stay as long as the RCMP will let him, because he feels he's making a difference in the troubled town, said Bob. An avid mountain biker, Splinter initiated a successful biking program for the local kids as a means of diverting their energy to positive activity. Again, Bob said, this is in keeping with the "good, honest kid" who "has always been service-oriented".
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