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B.C. sheriff celebrated for 50 years of service

Vancouver Canuck Todd Bertuzzi's assault trial was one of the many cases for which Dennis Corrigan was the deputy sheriff.
dennis-corrigan-oct-27-2023
B.C. deputy sheriff Dennis Corrigan.

A B.C. deputy sheriff was recognized in Victoria Oct. 25 for his 50 years of service.

Dennis Corrigan began his work with the service in 1973 and currently works at Vancouver Provincial Court although retirement is on his horizon at the end of 2024.

The B.C Ministry of Attorney General said in a statement it thanks Corrigan “for his 50 years’ of dedicated service to the BC Sheriff Service and congratulates him on this momentous achievement.”

The affable Corrigan told Glacier Media he has no regrets about his career choice.

It was in 1973 that he came back from Mexico and was thinking of applying to the correctional service for a job.

Corrigan’s father was in that service. He's the one who suggested the sheriff service instead.

Asked what he likes about his job, Corrigan said, "getting to relate to the citizens of British Columbia that are involved in the court system.”

“I like talking to people,” he said.

Over those years, Corrigan has been in countless cases.

Asked which ones he remembers, his first thought is the assault case of Vancouver Canuck Todd Bertuzzi where the forward pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm for a hit on Colorado Avalanche player Steve Moore in 2004. Moore’s neck was broken in the incident.

And, there was the incident where a prisoner escaped from the courtroom dock and Corrigan caught him outside.

Chuckling, he recalled one situation where, with a full courtroom, a female prisoner emerged into the prisoner’s dock totally naked. His colleagues left him to handle that one by himself.

A ministry spokesperson said the significant milestone has been celebrated at numerous government and ministry events, including the long service awards.

In July, there was an office event to celebrate the milestone with fellow colleagues, including a ceremony hosted by Chief Sheriff Paul Corrado.

The ministry also issued a special internal communications written feature to highlight Corrigan’s career as a sheriff.

Corrigan will also be recognized at the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration event for the BC Sheriff Service.