OPP Association Board of Directors pictured with Darius Garda Legacy Award Recipient OPP Identification Constable Chris Dobbs and his wife Victoria at the 2025 Canada Beyond the Blue Champions of Change Gala in Toronto.

OPP Indentification Constable Chris Dobbs and OPP Provincial Constable Katy Viccary were named the winners of the prestigious Darius Garda Legacy Award at the 4th Annual Canada Beyond the Blue Champions of Change Gala at Palais Royal Banquet Hall in Toronto September 4th, 2025.

This award recognizes any uniform or civilian service member or family member within the blue family who is sharing their story of struggle and perserverence.

IC Dobbs and PC Viccary were among thirteen OPP members who were nominated in five categories at the Gala which acknowledges and celebrates police service members and community partners who are championing the progress of mental health initiatives within their respective police services.

Chris joined the Ontario Provincial Police as a Provincial Constable in 2016. In August, 2020, he read “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins-a book that would soon become life-changing. On November 26, 2020 Chris was critically injured in the the line of duty, suffering severe injuries to his neck, spine, vertebral artery, face, head, legs and internal organs. Waking up in the ICU unable to move or speak, he reflected on that book and made the decision to push on and not give up.

After two months in hospital and a long recovery, Chris returned to work in 2022. Despite doubts from others about his readiness, he applied for and won the position of Forensic Identification Constable. As a survivor of trauma, he now advocates for mental wellness within law enforcement. Chris regularly checks in on colleagues’ mental health and has hard conversations when needed so they feel truly supported and understood. He believes everyone should have acess to counselling; while exterior wounds may heal with time, true healing begins within.

PC Viccary started her law enforcement career with Toronto Police Service, where she served for a decade, and is now with the OPP since 2017. She is an Acting Sergeant for Media and Community Services. Throughout the years, she has initiated numerous mental health awareness campaigns. Katy has lived experience with mental health challenges (including diagnosed with CPTSD), as well as having located her father who tragically died by suicide. She is a mother to four young children, and strives to reduce stigma and create more understanding surrounding mental health challenges in the community and within the policing culture. She openly shares her story and hitting rock bottom, and her personal journey of resiliency in the hopes of ‘normalizing’ mental health challenges.

The awards are in five categories and are open to anyone to nominate champions of change within policing who fit the criteria for the Darius Garda Legacy Award, Agent of Change Award, Leadership Award, Association Advocacy Award and Community Partner Award.

Congratualtions to all of the nominees from all the police services and community partners. Special congratulations to London Police Service Constable Shayna Wintjes who won in the Agent of Change category, Peel Regional Police Sergeant Justin Vandenbrink who won the Leadership Award, Hamilton Police Association President Jaimi Bannon who won the Association Advocacy Award, and Retired Peel Regional Police Staff Sergeant Jamie Davis, who won the Community Partner Award for his work with Boots on The Ground-Peer Support for First Responders.

The OPP Association is a proud sponsor of the Gala and very supportive of all the work being done by the team at Canada Beyond the Blue in their efforts to recognize the Champions of Change, and honour the service and sacrifice of members of the police family who have died by suicide, and support their families.

For more information on the Gala and the Ontario Police Suicide Memorial visit CanadaBeyondTheBlue.com.

Nottawasaga OPP Provincial Constable Katy Viccary holds a photo of her father, John Garner, who died by suicide in 2017 after struggling with depression for many years. Photo by Brad Pitchard, Metroland.