It’s been said a picture is worth a thousand words, but in this case that old saw is as wrong as wrong can be.

The burnt out car in the photo accompanying this story says little about the cop chase that resulted in the crash, the heroic efforts of a police officer to pull his quarry to safety or the way the young driver’s life changed for the better after he led police on a high speed pursuit.

Shawnigan Lake RCMP Const. Craig Waite was recently awarded the Commanding Officer’s Commendation — the highest award that can be issued by the Commanding Officer of the British Columbia RCMP — for his actions in saving the life of a crash victim, a 19-year-old Duncan man the cops were chasing just more than two years ago.

“This young man when interviewed could not say enough about the actions of Waite,” said RCMP Sgt. Rob Webb, of the Shawnigan detachment.

“He stated ‘(The officer) definitely saved my life, I thought I was going to die.’”  

The action started just before 1 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007. Waite was in Duncan on other business when he attempted to pull over the driver of a 2002 Chrysler Intrepid during a routine traffic stop.

The driver hit the gas pedal and led the officer on a short chase that ended only when the Intrepid went off Indian Road and ran into a tree.

The inside of the car quickly filled with smoke while Waite and other officers pulled the driver from the car just as it became engulfed in flames.

The driver suffered some broken bones in his feet and his legs and was treated at hospital.

The vehicle was a write-off and the young man was charged with dangerous driving and causing a pursuit.

The unnamed driver dealt with his charges in court and has a new lease on life, said Webb.

“This incident appears to have positively changed the young man’s path in life,” he said.

Webb also had high praise for the actions of his constable.

“His response to this situation is typical of his day to day duties,” he said. “Our profession is a difficult one (and) Const. Waite placed his own life on the line for someone who had made a poor decision.”

Other local police officers were also honoured during the same ceremony last week.

They include Const. Edward Power who received the District Commander’s Certificate of Appreciation.

And Const. Rock Atleo, Sgt. Scott Stephen, Cpl. Gary Towle, Staff Sgt. Charlie Schaal, Staff Sgt. Alain Richard (retired), and Lake Cowichan’s Cpl. Kurt Gottfried were all honoured for their long years of service.

“These awards recognize the commitment, sacrifice, and exemplary service of some of the finest officers I have had the pleasure of serving with,” Insp. Kevin Hewco, commander of the North Cowichan/Duncan detachment, said in a release.