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Edmonton Police’s Sgt. Ryan Katchur named Kiwanis Top Cop 2023

June 28, 2024, Edmonton, Alta. – The Kiwanis Club of Edmonton – Oil Capital has named Sgt. Ryan Katchur as their Top Cop for 2023.

Sgt. Katchur is receiving the Kiwanis Top Cop award for his leadership, creativity and compassion, which continue to empower young people and inspire others to make a difference in the community.

“Sgt. Ryan Katchur exemplifies the best of the Edmonton Police Service through his exceptional volunteer efforts and dedicated service to the community,” says Police Chief Dale McFee. “His efforts over the last few years have truly been inspiring, and we’re grateful that our community partners have nominated such a deserving police officer.”

Katchur was jointly nominated by the Edmonton Police Foundation, the CNIB, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, and the Strathcona County Robotics Association.

One of those nominators was Elisha Jackson, Executive Director with the Edmonton Police Foundation, who wanted to recognize Katchur’s tireless volunteer support.

“I nominated Sgt. Ryan Katchur because he embodies the true spirit of community service. His dedication goes beyond hours spent. He infuses every action with intention, impact, and connection, and selflessly does this on his own time without expecting anything in return.”

In his 18 years with the Edmonton Police Service, Sgt. Ryan Katchur’s problem-solving skills have enhanced investigations and improved young people’s lives.

Working alongside the EPS Bomb Squad, Katchur was inspired by U.S. bomb technicians creating beeping Easter eggs for children with sight loss. With the help of the Cyber Eagles Robotics Team he coaches, Katchur developed enhanced electronic eggs and organized Edmonton’s first beeping Easter egg hunt with the CNIB in 2022.

This led to another project when the CNIB mentioned a shortage of wooden Braille Blocks for teaching children to read. Katchur and the Cyber Eagles improved on the original, and produced 3D printed Braille Blocks that were shared with visually impaired children across Canada.

While volunteering with the Edmonton Police Foundation, Katchur engaged with families from the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society. He saw an opportunity to mentor vulnerable youth in science and technology, and with the Cyber Eagles, set up fun robotics camps at Bent Arrow to help kids build new skills and confidence.

In addition to mentoring in robotics, Katchur coaches a softball team, showing youth that anything is possible with perseverance and teamwork.

As part of the award, the Kiwanis Club of Edmonton – Oil Capital is donating $1,000 to the charity of Katchur’s choice, the Edmonton Police Foundation, which helped sponsor the beeping egg project and Easter egg hunt with the CNIB.

“Sgt. Ryan Katchur is the 48th EPS officer recognized by Kiwanis for outstanding volunteer contributions in the community since 1976,” says Beverly Levis, Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Edmonton – Oil Capital.  We’re honoured to continue this tradition of recognizing police officers who go above and beyond.”