Canadian Association for Self Defense president Norman Lapierre presents Dennis Galloway with an award for thwarting an attempted robbery at his jewelry store more than a year ago.

By David Wiwchar

PORT ALBERNI – Jeweler Dennis Galloway received a controversial award from a controversial group on Saturday, and says he has mixed feelings about the recognition.

“It’s a bittersweet thing,” said Galloway, who along with wife Sharon own Dievert’s Jewelers on Johnston Road. “It’s something that I wish never happened at all, but I appreciate the support and recognition that I did do the right thing for myself and my wife,” he said.

It was just before closing time on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, when two men walked into Dievert’s Jewelers on Johnston Road. One of the men allegedly pulled out a hand-gun and pointed it at Sharon Galloway. Husband Dennis reported he then pulled out a 9 mm handgun and began firing.

Although details are scarce, it is believed Galloway first shot the armed man twice before firing eight more times at the second man as he fled the scene. A year later, 46-year old James Gumbleton remains in hospital, reportedly paralyzed from the neck down.

“We’re here today to honour a hero,” proclaimed Norman Lapierre, president to the Canadian Association for Self Defense, who flew out from his home in Saint Constant, Quebec to present Galloway with an award. “He bravely and selflessly protected his much-loved wife Sharon from almost certain harm,” he said as he presented Galloway with a glass plaque and a lifetime membership in the self-defense organization.

According to Lapierre, the CASD has more than 2,400 members across Canada. Their website (www.casd.ca) indicates most of their support comes from a group called Canadian GunNutz, and their ultimate goal is to allow all Canadian to carry concealed weapons. But on this night, Lapierre and other members were purposely downplaying their agenda.

“We’re here tonight to honour Dennis Galloway for exercising his constitutional obligation in protecting himself, his family, and his property,” said Lapiere. “It doesn’t matter if he did that with a stick, a fire-extinguisher or whatever. Certainly there are members of the firearms community who support us, but we’re about self defense,” he said.

More than 60 people gathered at the Alberni Valley Search and Rescue Hall late Saturday afternoon to support Galloway in receiving his award. Retired logger and failed mayoral candidate Jacques Savard however took issue with the ceremony, rising from his seat to question Lapierre.

“There was a lot of blood spilled,” said Savard, who continued to speak despite many people demanding he sit down. “There could have been children walking by, people shopping,” he said before bowing to requests that he leave.

“Here, let me get the door for you,” said a burly, older man who flung the steel doors open for Savard to leave.

“When you walk in to a place like that with a dissenting view, they have a tendency to shut you down and intimidate you as you saw they did to me,” Savard said afterward.

For Galloway, the attempted robbery on October 22nd was the second in seven months, and he is unapologetic for his reaction. “He came to our store. I didn’t go after him,” he said.

“I have extensive self-defense training in dealing with an attack,” said Lapierre. “If you’re attacked, you have 30 seconds to fend off that attacker. Police cannot come to your rescue in 30 seconds. The only person that is responsible for your safety is you,” he said.

Police had recommended a pair of charges against Galloway for allegedly possessing an unregistered handgun. Sources within the justice system told AlberniPortal.ca that Crown Counsel narrowly struck down the charges, but the file could be re-opened.

Police are still actively investigating, and searching for the second suspect who fled the scene in a car.

Port Alberni RCMP Staff Sergeant Lee Omilusik said Gumbleton will soon be healthy enough to swear charges against and police can begin their interrogations. Police had tried to interview Gumbleton on at least two occasions, but Omilusik said the man claims to not have any memory of the shooting.

Correction: Contrary to initial reports, jeweler Dennis Galloway has informed AlberniPortal.ca his handgun was legally registered and properly stored. We apologize for the error.