These people are our heroes

THE word hero means a person of distinguished courage or performance.

But in today’s society we loosely slap the title on just about anyone, from sports stars to even politicians, without understanding the true meaning of the word.

Yes, there are people who perform heroic deeds but on a cricket or football pitch?

Heroes of the Far North yesterday were honoured for their brave acts of selflessness.

They included police and emergency service officers as well as members of the community.

Our emergency personnel are normal people who go to work to protect and save lives. At times they are confronted with danger and risk their own lives to protect the community at large.

Their achievements above and beyond have been recognised.

Among them were Sergeant Conrad Van Egmond, who is now stationed in the Far North, and awarded the Queensland Police Valour Medal for displaying exceptional bravery in hazardous circumstances by disarming an offender at Burpengary in 2001.

Senior Constable Ben Lloyd received a RSPCA award for saving two puppies from a vehicle plunged in floodwater at Coen last year.

Jamin Harley dragged a man out of his burning vehicle at Redlynch in 2017 and started CPR for 25 minutes while his daughter Chloe called triple0. The man could not be revived and died.

Keith Anderson was threatened while observing a violent domestic incident which also involved infant grave vandalism.

These people are real heroes. Nick Dalton Deputy editor