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“It truly is an honour, and I certainly didn’t expect to receive anything like this — it’s actually quite humbling”
Longtime MADD Edmonton chapter members, Dave Hall and Rhonda Paterson recently received the King Charles III Coronation medal for their significant contributions in their communities to stop impaired driving. Photo by MADD Edmonton /Supplied
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Spending 36 years as an RCMP officer, Dave Hall has witnessed first-hand the carnage that impaired driving can wreak on Alberta roads and highways.
“I don’t even want to even think about the stuff I’ve seen. It raises bad things, and I try my best not to recollect them,” said Hall.
In November, alongside Rhonda Paterson, who has worked as MADD Edmonton’s administrative assistant for almost a decade, the pair were awarded the King Charles III Coronation medal for their significant contributions in their communities to stop impaired driving.
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“It truly is an honour, and I certainly didn’t expect to receive anything like this — it’s actually quite humbling. I kept telling everybody that there are other people who should’ve got it, and I was told that’s why I got it,” laughed Hall.
Hall worked as the impaired driving prevention co-ordinator for Red Deer RCMP in the 1990s. For a big portion of his career, he worked in the collision reconstruction unit. If a crash happened in his area, he was often the first person on scene.
“Before I left Red Deer, I was president of the chapter, and then I moved and became a member on the national board for six years, representing the Prairie provinces, Northwest Territories and Nunavut,” said Hall.
“When Edmonton opened up a MADD chapter, I got involved, and I’ve been with them ever since.”
‘It just sticks with you’
“It was something I had to finally retire from doing … you become numb to it, but it just sticks with you,” said Hall, adding he has personally attended many candlelight vigils for victims of impaired driving, and said it’s heartbreaking to see the impact impaired driving has on families.
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“I see the change in some of the people over the years. The hurt is still there, but I feel like people realize they can go to the vigil, but all they can do is remember their loved one. That’s it,” said Hall.
Over the years, Hall has been involved both locally and nationally in working with police and politicians to try and fight impaired driving laws. He said the lobbying done by MADD Canada has brought in new legislation allowing police to do immediate roadside sanctions, and that has helped free up the police to do more work making the roads safer.
‘Kind and compassionate person’
Paterson’s father was a longtime RCMP officer, and she saw what he went through when he came home from work. At MADD Edmonton, Paterson is often the first voice a victim of impaired driving hears when they reach out for help, and she has dedicated her career in supporting victims of impaired driving.
Paterson also runs the chapter’s volunteer recruitment, victim support, and fundraising events.
“Rhonda has made an incredible impact. She’s always the first contact to talk to a family and offer support and resources, and people really respond so well for her,” said Tracy Crawford, MADD Canada’s regional manager for western Canada.
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“She’s such a kind and compassionate person. When someone comes to you when they’ve had that loss … they want someone that will listen to them, and she’s always made them (victims) her focus.”
Crawford said the way Paterson connects with families is very respectful, and she’s been an amazing gift for the chapter in Edmonton, adding it takes a special type of person to fulfil her role.
“She really is the face of MADD Edmonton. When people contact (the chapter), she’s very professional and kind and is there to be supportive for them. That makes a lot of difference for our organization to have that reputation in the community,” said Crawford.
“They know when they call, Rhonda will respond. Or, if they ask her for help, she will do everything she can to help them. She goes above and beyond all the time. She loves the organization so much, but she also loves the volunteers.”
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