I am honored to nominate Detective Constable Sara Mummery for The Extra Mile Award in recognition of her extraordinary dedication and compassion.
For over 47 years, my uncle, George Heys, was missing. Through her unwavering commitment and determination, D/Cst. Mummery quite literally went the extra mile to bring us closure.
In 1979, the remains of a male were recovered in Lake Ontario by US authorities near Oswego, New York. Despite investigative efforts at the time, the individual could not be identified, and for nearly half a century his identity remained unknown.
D/Cst. Mummery took a lead role in reviewing all historical missing persons cases from Canada, noting one potential case of interest linking a missing male from Toronto in 1978. She liaised with US authorities and submitted an extensive case summary outlining her beliefs as to why she believed the cases were connected. Based on the time which had passed, dental records from both the missing male and the unidentified remains were limited and DNA had not been collected.
D/Cst. Mummery was able to obtain authorization from US authorities including the District Attorney’s office to have the remains exhumed and transported back to Canada, where a DNA profile was developed and submitted for comparison with the RCMP National DNA Databank.
As a direct result of her initiative and leadership, a DNA match was made in 2026, confirming that the unidentified remains recovered in 1979 were in fact George Heys, who had been reported missing in Toronto in 1978.
Her professionalism, persistence, and genuine care for our family made an immeasurable difference during an incredibly emotional time. She did not treat this as just another case — she treated it with humanity, empathy, and respect. That compassion is something we will never forget.
Detective Constable Mummery truly deserves to be recognized for her tireless efforts and the profound impact she has had on our family.
