After his wife, West Shore RCMP officer Sarah Beckett, was killed in the line of duty in 2016, Brad Aschenbrenner made a decision to channel his grief into helping others.

鈥淧eople that have been through hell usually know how to help others,鈥� Aschenbrenner told Goldstream Gazette. 鈥淭hey can look into people's eyes and see the hurt, the anxiety.鈥�

Using that pain, almost nine years on from his wife鈥檚 death, Aschenbrenner has created a long-lasting legacy in her honour, the Sarah Beckett Memorial Run. An annual event first launched in 2019, which has gone on to raise thousands of dollars for local groups.

Passionate about grassroots sports, Aschenbrenner also dedicates his spare time to youth advocacy, volunteering for BGC South Vancouver Island, formerly Boys and Girls Club of Greater Victoria.

These achievements were honoured at a special ceremony on March 17, when he was presented with a King Charles III Coronation Medal, an award given to individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities.

The medal was presented in a room full of local dignitaries, local residents, colleagues, friends and family, including Aschenbrenner鈥檚 two sons, who needed few words to describe how it felt watching the community celebrate their dad.

鈥淗appy, proud, excited,鈥� said 14-year-old Lucas

鈥淧roud,鈥� echoed his 11-year-old brother Emmitt.

But the two brothers weren鈥檛 the only ones singing Aschenbrenner鈥檚 praises.

Speaking on behalf of BGC South Vancouver Island, who nominated Aschenbrenner for the award, Jess Gunnarson described the father-of-two as a 鈥渉ero鈥� and 鈥渁 relentless champion for young people.鈥�

鈥淏rad, your work is not just about the present, it's shaping the future of this community,鈥� Gunnarson said.

鈥淵our community and your country honour you,鈥� he continued. 鈥淣ot only for the remarkable way that you carry forward Sarah's legacy, but for the incredible legacy of your own that you are building.鈥�

Aschenbrenner鈥檚 鈥渉eartwarming鈥� commitment to the Sarah Beckett Memorial Run was also championed by Mayor Scott Goodmanson.

鈥淭hrough this event, Brad has demonstrated the values of compassion, resilience and community spirit, bringing us together every year and serving as a powerful reminder of the strength and unity that helps define Langford,鈥� he said.

Accepting the award, an emotional Aschenbrenner spoke about the importance of offering support and a 鈥渟trong foundation鈥� to children who may be struggling in life.

鈥淚 tell my son every single day he gets out of the vehicle, make it different for somebody else today,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f we all did that, if we all just make someone smile, it would make this a very wonderful place.鈥�

鈥婤ut after the ceremony, Aschenbrenner was quick to move the spotlight away from him.

鈥淚 didn't expect this, it鈥檚 just so touching. But it's not about me or the medal, it's about the community,鈥� he said. 

鈥淚f I would have thought almost nine years ago when Sarah had died to where I am now, I wouldn't have thought this is where I'd be, but I love it, I really do.鈥�

Despite having a full plate, juggling family life, a full-time job, his youth advocacy work and organizing the next Sarah Beckett Memorial Run 鈥� 鈥� Aschenbrenner says he does his best to 鈥渂alance life out,鈥� making time for him and his sons.

鈥淥ur healing is hunting and baseball,鈥� he said.