Kevin Vickers often describes himself simply as 'a poor boy from the north shore of New Brunswick,’ but Wednesday, the former Sergeant-at-Arms at Parliament Hill has received his home province's highest honour.
Vickers, along with nine other recipients, received the 2015 Order of New Brunswick.
“The award is very humbling and I'm obviously very honoured,” says Vickers. “It's very special to me being from New Brunswick, growing up on the Miramichi.”
Vickers spent 29 years with the RCMP, fulfilling multiple roles including Chief Superintendent. But it was his bravery and courage the day a gunman stormed Parliament Hill that he is being recognized for. The day he delivered the fatal shot that ended the shooting.
There was a long line of people who wanted Vickers to get this recognition.
“Now I won't do this every year, but I made an exception this year, I was very pleased to be the one who nominated Mr. Vickers. We had people, too many people who wanted to nominate him,” says New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant.
Vickers says he is very proud to have been part of a great security team at the House of Commons.
“I realize it's one of those things we don't dwell upon, we do our duty and we move on.”
Vickers says the honour caps off a year of grief, honour, and transition. At the beginning of the year, he was appointed Canada's ambassador to Ireland – his ancestors are from the Emerald Isle.
“The people there in Ireland have been exceptionally nice to me, exceptionally warm. Exceptionally hospitable, to the point where it has been embarrassing to be there at times, they're just over the top,” says Vickers.
Vickers returns to Ireland next week, where the ambassador is focusing on trade between the two countries.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Nick Moore
