Saving a drowning teenager. Making an appearance as Safety Bear. Logging enough of the equivalent kilometres as part of Citizens on Patrol to make a round trip from Whitehorse to St. John's, Nfld. Protecting the public for 20, 25 and 35 years.

Those and many others were the people honoured Tuesday afternoon by the RCMP in the M Division Honours and Awards ceremony for at the High Country Inn.

Beverly Busson, the Pacific Region deputy commissioner, was on hand to offer her gratitude not only to the officers, staff and volunteers who make up the RCMP, but the spouses, families and friends who she wished she had a 'medal of endurance or long service' for.

'Without your support, they're not able to do the work that they do,' she said.

Const. Craig Thur received the Commissioner's Commendation for his bravery in saving a drowning youth in 2004. He remained fairly quiet about the incident following the ceremony, saying he didn't want to watch somebody die.

Before the plaque honouring Thur was presented, Staff-Sgt. Al Hubley, who emceed the event, told the approximately 20 people on hand that on Sept. 18, 2004, Thur was working general duty with another officer when they were called to a complaint about a party in Porter Creek.

As he arrived at the scene around Hidden Lake, most of the youth scattered except for one intoxicated youth suffering from hypothermia.

After getting the teenager out of the water, Thur heard another noise in the dark night. He waded through the water toward the sound, then swam through hazards to see a young man struggling in the water.

The youth disappeared, but Thur continued to search underwater for the youth until he found him and could drag him out of the water.

Even out of the cold water after the rescue, Thur remained with the boy until he was relieved of his duties.

'Const. Thur disregarded his own comfort,' said Hubley.

Questioned after the ceremony, Thur said it was a choice between seeing a young man die or going in to save him. He also pointed out he's a good swimmer.

While Thur isn't a huge fan of ceremonies, he said the recognition for everyone is nice.

'A lot of good things happen across the country. It's nice in that they're recognized,' said Thur.

Const. Eyvi Smith will also receive a commissioner's commendation for rescuing a person from a burning building in 2004, though he was away from the territory Tuesday.

For the same incident, he'll also receive the Medal of Bravery from the Governor General at a ceremony later this year at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

While Thur and Smith are recognized for their bravery in a single event, seven officers were honoured for the many years of service to the force, receiving long service awards for 35 years, 25 years and 20 years with the RCMP.

Chief Supt. Dave Shewchuk marked his 35 years of service.

Insp. Tracy Hardy, Cpl. Richard Cashen and public service employee Maria Oswald were honoured for their 25 years with the RMCP.

At 20 years of service are Const. Rene Bouchard, retired Const. Jerry Geddes and Special Const. Terry Baumble. They were handed the Long Service Awards.

Corey Edzerza, who retired form the auxiliary program this year, received an encased badge and certificate of appreciation for his assistance to the local police.

To the current volunteers, Hubley noted: 'We say thank you for a job well done.'

With that, auxiliary Const. Rick Smith, Citizens On Patrol president Wayne Balcaen and Jan Trim, with the Victim Assistance Program, each received certificates of appreciation and a label pin.

The award was 'totally unexpected' Smith said following the ceremony.

'They just said, Be here,' ' he said.

For Smith, volunteering on the auxiliary program is a constant challenge, and there's also the 'great camaraderie.'

'You learn something everyday,' he said.

Smith is a lawyer (though not a criminal lawyer) by trade. The auxiliary program allows him to view the other areas of the law which happen before lawyers are involved.

The program allows volunteers to work on both the reactive side in law enforcement through patrols and the proactive side through duties like traffic control and donning the Safety Bear suit.

There are also a few other benefits, like the opportunity to take a trip down the Tatshenshini River with the Crew Whitewater program. That initiative is designed to get kids thinking about their choices and to show them alternatives to being on the wrong side of the law.

'It keeps you young,' said Smith with a laugh.

While Smith has put in many hours volunteering with the RCMP, he said it's thanks to his understanding family that he's able to do that.

He also has a more flexible work schedule, depending on his clients, which allows him to devote the time to the auxiliary force.