It’s a big day today in Blind River where OPP officers across the northeast and civilians will be honoured. Awards are being handed out for bravery, lifesaving and performance of duty to name a few categories. One award is the Commissioner’s Commendations for exemplary performance of duty. The recipients are members of the OPP in Elliot Lake, along with support staff and City Hall workers involved in the mall collapse two years ago. The awards ceremony is also a homecoming of sorts for two high-ranking OPP officers. Staff Sergeant Garry Mills, who now heads the Sudbury OPP, is in Blind River receiving a 35-year performance award. Mills was the chief of police in Elliot Lake before the community switched to the OPP. Also in Blind River is Inspector Mark Andrews who now operates out of North Bay. Andrews was the detachment commander of the East Algoma OPP in Blind River and he’s receiving a 30-year service bar.
