It’s almost a week since Edmonton gained, what I feel, its newest hero.

Cst.Chernyk is your every day officer. Doing his day to day shift work and taking the odd bit of overtime so he can save it for a rainy day. He was in his squad car. Stationary. Nothing unusual.

Then from out of nowhere, he was brutally and purposely stabbed multiple times. This is when instinct kicks in. Going into autopilot or just doing anything you can to save yourself and others from this terrible situation. An act of terrorism.

The fact that he was able to fight-even though he was hurt- protecting himself from further damage is nothing short of a miracle.

This clearly lost soul had decided to do the unthinkable. Decided that he would choose someone else’s fate for them.

Cst. Chernyk may say that he was ‘just doing his job’. Indeed he was. His job was choosing to protect people. Every single day when he put his uniform on. When ifficers go ‘plain clothed’. They choose to put their own safety in jeopardy to help and save others. Yes, before you say it, there are bag eggs-but the majority are protectors

You never wish this on anyone but it’s a part of every day life for those Emergency Service members and their families.
Cst. Chernyk, has a long road ahead of him. Know that we are saddened by what you had to endure. That we are grateful for what you risked to keep the members and visitors to the city safe. That we are thankful you are still here with your loved ones.
Thank you for your service. It means more than you know.

Cx