OPPA Members Well Represented at the 2026 Canada Beyond the Blue Champions of Change Gala

_{OPPA Board and Head Office Staff pictured with OPP Northeast Region Detective Sergeant Adam Devost and his father after Det/Sgt Devost was named the recipient of the prestigious Darius Garda Legacy Award at the 2026 Canada Beyond the Blue Champions of Change Gala in Toronto on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th, 2026 in Toronto}

OPPA Members were well represented at the 2026 Canada Beyond the Blue Champions of Change Gala at Palais Royale Banquet Hall in Toronto September 10th, 2026.

CP24 Reporter Beatrice Vaisman was the MC of the event attended by hundreds of law enforcement personnel, police leaders including OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique, Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, and representatives from Police Services and Associations throughout Ontario.

The event is organized annually by Canada Beyond the Blue, led by President Dilnaz Garda, whose brother, Toronto Police Service Constable Darius Garda died by suicide because of the line of duty, while struggling with PTSD after he was involved in a police shooting.

Congratulations to Northeast Region OPP Detective Sgt Adam Devost on being named the recipient of the prestigious Darius Garda Legacy Award.

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 to help others.

Adam has spent most of his policing career investigating major crimes, including homicides and other serious incidents that exposed him to the darkest moments in people’s lives. Like many first responders, he accepted the effects of the job as simply part of the profession. Looking back, he now understands that while these impacts may be common, they should never be ingnored. There was a time when the cumlative wight of the job nearly cost him everything that mattered most. The stress and trauma he carried home affected his life in ways he did not fully recognize until he came danerously close to losing his wife, children, and the future they had built together. That experience changed him forever.

His passion for mental health and wellness comes from learning that recovery is possible, but only if people are willing to acknowledge when they are struggling and take action before their lives begin to unravel.

Today, Adam openly shares his story to encourage others to reach out early, seek support, and understand that asking for help is a sign of strength no weakness.

As he continues his career, he believes his greatest accomplishment is not any investigation he has led, but demonstrating that injury does not define a person; recovery is possible, families can heal, and meaningful, successful careers can continue after adversity. Proof of that was his recent official promotion to Staff Sergeant.

Adam believes if his story helps even one person choose hope over silence, then sharing it is worth it.

Congratulations as well to OPP Sergeant Chhieu Seng and OPP Detective Constable John Zsigmond Tibay. They were among the five nominees for the Darius Garda Award.

Congratulations to OPP Communications Operator Team Leader Peter Easton, Civilian OPP Member Lauren Ryder and OPP Sergeant James Tremblay, who were nominees in the Agent of Change Award category.

Congratulations to OPP Inspector Brent Genereux, OPP Inspector Lisa Margaret Laxton and OPP Detective Inspector Corey Wayne Villeneuve (ret.), who were nominees for the Leadership Award.

On behalf of the OPP Association, President David Sabatini stated:

“Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners from all the police services and community partners. Your dedication to supporting your fellow policing family members is admirable and very much appreciated. Thank you to the team at Canada Beyond the Blue for your tireless work to assist police families. Keep up the good work all. Nobody walks this journey alone.”

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 to recognize the Champions of Change, 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.