The Windsor Police Service is going to honour a recently retired AM800 personality.
Patty Handysides will be one of the award recipients during the inaugural Chief’s Gala on October 1 at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts..
The gala will recognize the achievements of Windsor Police members and community partners through a series of awards while raising funds for local programs supporting the well-being of people across Windsor-Essex.
Handysides will be receiving the Citizen Recognition Award to recognize her distinguished broadcasting career, longstanding contributions to the Windsor-Essex community, and support of local charitable and community initiatives.
“These recipients represent the very best of our service and our community,” said Chief Jason Crowley. “Their courage, compassion, professionalism, and leadership have changed lives, strengthened public safety, and made Windsor-Essex a better place. It is a privilege to recognize their extraordinary contributions at our inaugural Chief’s Gala.”
The gala will be emceed by AM800’s Mike Kakuk, co-host of Mornings with Mike and Meg.
Proceeds from the inaugural Chief’s Gala will support Camp Brombal, a Windsor Police-led youth engagement program, and the Canadian Mental Health Association - Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHA-WECB).
The other 2026 Chief’s Gala Award Recipients include:
• Senior Constable John Atkinson Memorial Award of Valour: Constables Joshua Allen, Eduardo Arevalo, and Wayne Bridge, recognized for rescuing occupants from two burning vehicles following a serious collision at Tecumseh Road East and McDougall Street.
• Award of Excellence – Policing: Sergeant Charles Sasso and Constables Paco Boutros-Gebrael, Jordyn Naumovski, Jacob Polski, and Emily Stevenson, recognized for their efforts to locate a missing person who was found hypothermic in a ditch and transported to hospital.
• Award of Excellence – Criminal Investigation: Staff Sergeant Dave Tennent, Sergeants James Gendreau and Jeff Pocock, and Constables Bethany Bondy, Rob Hanna, Larry Hartley, Phil Peladeau, and Sean Richardson, recognized for their cross-border investigation into a violent home invasion and sexual assault of a child that led to the suspect’s arrest in Michigan.
• Award of Excellence – Community Service: Sergeant Adam Young, Retired Constable Bonnie Dominey, and Melanie Kish-Lewis, coordinators of the Windsor Police Law Enforcement Torch Run program, recognized for their years of volunteer leadership in support of Special Olympics.
• Award of Excellence – Innovation: Retired Windsor Police Service Chief Jason Bellaire, Kristin Kennedy, President and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital, Bill Marra, President and CEO of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, and David Musyj, former President and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital, recognized for creating the Nurse Police Team and Crisis Response Team, which provide coordinated support for people experiencing mental health and substance-use challenges.
• Award of Excellence – Support Services: Nicole Sbrocca, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County, recognized for her efforts to partner with Windsor Police and other community agencies to develop a cross-sectoral response to mental health challenges.
• Alton C. Parker Award: Constable Cealia Gagnon, recognized for more than 20 years of exceptional community service, including her longstanding volunteer leadership with local charities and her dedicated coaching and mentorship of Special Olympics athletes.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the inaugural Chief’s Gala remain available. For more information, click here.