BY KEITH LACEY
Tapio Paajanen is a quiet, modest man who happens to be a police officer.
That's why it's ironic the 35-year veteran of the Greater Sudbury Police Service has been honoured with the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery.
Paajanen risked his own life by jumping into the frigid waters of Whitefish River Jan. 6 2005 after a 77-year-old cross-country skier fell through the ice.
The elderly man had been in the water for some time and was barely hanging on, when Paajanen, accompanied by citizen Brian Purvis, managed to grab him from the water and bring him to safety.
Purvis has also received numerous commendations for his actions that day.
The rescue was that much more impressive considering the man was still wearing his cross-country skis while being rescued.
Accompanied by Police Chief Ian Davidson, Paajanen was honoured, along with two other police officers and two firefighters, Thursday at Queen's Park.
Paajanen was travelling back from Toronto Friday and could not be reached for comment.
Paajanen also received the Governor General's Certificate of Commendation at the Greater Sudbury Police Services Board?s Award Presentations in November.
Thursday's award goes to police officers and firefighters that risked personal safety in the line of duty to help people in distress.
The police services board, Davidson and all members of the Greater Sudbury Police Service are proud of Paajanen's actions and congratulate him on being the recipient of such a prestigious award, said media relations co-ordinator, Const. Bert Lapalme.
The day in question, Purvis was heading to work when he heard what he thought was a cry for help.
He rushed down the ice and saw ?nothing but a head with a toque rising out of the water.?
He had his mother phone 911. Paajanen arrived on the scene a couple of minutes later.
Paajanen said he was on the southwest bypass in Lively when he heard a man had fallen through the ice on the Whitefish River and rushed to the scene.
Following the rescue, the victim was rushed to hospital, suffering from hypothermia, but he made a quick recovery.
Purvis agreed Paajanen acted heroically that day.
?As soon as the police officer arrived, we worked together and got him out,? he said. ?As soon as we got him out, Paajanen hugged me and called me a hero. I hugged him back and said he was the hero."
