Winnipeg Constable Lee Hannesson of Langruth reacts to national award

Following yesterday's story highlighting Jason Towle's thoughts on receiving a Canadian Police Association (CPA) Award of Excellence, we are now focusing on the other half of the duo that saved ten lives from a fully engulfed home, Constable Lee Hanneson of Langruth.

Both men employed by the Winnipeg Police Service are humble in reacting to being honoured. Towle said the award made him feel "funny" as he was just doing his job, and Hanneson shared the same sentiment saying it's overwhelming.

"Lots of incidents across the country that happened that are very serious, and it's a great honour to be nominated, never mind chosen."

Hanneson, originally from a farm in the Langruth area, has been on the job with the Winnipeg Police force for ten years and notes this was a unique event.

"I haven't been involved in too many fires, although there are a lot of serious incidents that my brothers and sisters face all the time. You have to act professionally and efficiently at times, and sometimes time is of the essence."

Hanneson takes us through the early April morning in 2018 when he and Towle saw a haze under the street lights of Winnipeg.

"We could smell smoke as well," continues Hanneson. "We could see that the fire was starting to engulf the house on Disraeli street and firefighters happened to be in the area dealing with another unrelated matter. So, I was able to shout it to them to notify them to follow up with us. We entered the building, and it was a lot of chaos, a lot of smoke, and just trying to figure out how many occupants were exactly in the building. Knocking on multiple doors as it's a rooming house and trying to wake them from their slumber and trying to evacuate them, and it's just a lot of chaos."

Hanneson says the two were nominated by our Winnipeg Police Association and presented the award last week in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on August 25th.

He talks about the relationship he has with Towle.

"I always knew who Jason was because he is from portages as well, and we never really knew each other, although we're both from that area. Since then, it's been good. We've built a rapport, we were partners, and even just being sent out for this award. It is good to spend some time with him."