COBOURG, Ont. - The police officer who found a slain Cobourg, Ont., police officer has joined a petition demanding that Chris Garrett receive the Cross of Valour.
Garrett was 39 and an 18-year veteran of the Cobourg force when his throat was slashed while answering a false 911 call in May 2004.
His killer was convicted of first-degree murder last February.
Cobourg Const. John Roughley, who found Garrett's body, posted an online tribute that includes a message to the Governor General. Roughley writes, `Chris was a true hero. Honour this hero.'
Premier Dalton McGuinty wrote to the Governor General earlier this month, also asking that Garrett be awarded the Cross of Valour.
McGuinty said Garrett deserves the medal, even though the officer was nominated for the honour past the two-year time limit. As the premier put it, `an act a bravery does not become invalid after two years.'
