Members of the Lethbridge Police Service were honoured with the Cpl. Cumming's Watch award, Oct. 22, 2025. (Photo: LPS)

By David Opinko

LPS officers celebrated for charging impaired drivers, one had Alberta’s 2024 record

Oct 23, 2025 | 9:06 AM

Seven members of the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) were commended for doing their part in keeping impaired drivers off the road.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada held a ceremony at the police station on Wednesday, Oct. 22, handing out the Cpl. Cumming’s Watch awards.

In partnership with MADD Canada, Alberta RCMP, Alberta Transportation, and the Office of Traffic Safety, the award is in honour of Cpl. Graeme Cumming, an RCMP officer who was killed by an impaired driver while on duty along Highway 3 near Lethbridge in 1998.

It recognizes police officers in Alberta for their efforts to prevent the deaths and injuries caused by impaired drivers.

Anita Huchala, President of MADD Lethbridge and Area Chapter, says that each impaired driver these officers take off the road represents a potential tragedy that has been prevented.

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“Because of their efforts, a family may be spared the heartbreak of losing a loved one or coping with the devastating consequences of an impaired driving crash. We are profoundly grateful not only to the officers recognized today, but to all officers across Canada who remain committed to keeping our roads safe for everyone,” says Huchala.

Officers who charge between 15 and 24 impaired drivers during a calendar year, or conduct between five and 10 drug recognition evaluations, receive a certificate of recognition and a silver challenge coin. Those who charge 25 or more impaired drivers, or conduct more than 10 DREs, will receive a certificate of recognition and a gold challenge coin.

The following officers were recognized for their efforts in 2024:

• Cst. Brent Paxman (Gold) – charged 94 impaired drivers, the most by any officer in Alberta.
• Cst. Shaun McCarthy (Gold) – charged 30 impaired drivers
• Cst. Mike Dowsley (Gold) – charged 28 impaired drivers
• Cst. Jack Krysztofiak (Silver) – charged 19 impaired drivers
• Cst. Josh Smith (Silver) – charged 17 impaired drivers
• Cst. Barent Goodrich (Silver) – conducted 9 drug recognition evaluations
• Cst. Mackenzie Morisseau (Silver) – conducted 5 drug recognition evaluations

Anyone who sees a suspected impaired driver is asked to call 911.