Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: February 11, 1998
• Invested on: September 18, 1998

R.C.M.P. Constable Valerie Ann Lahaie, M.B.
R.C.M.P. Constable Brent J. Mundle, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On November 2, 1996, Csts. Lahaie and Mundle extricated a man from a burning trailer in Fairview, Alberta. Alerted by bystanders that the man was trapped inside, Csts. Lahaie and Mundle attempted twice to enter the trailer through the front door but were driven back each time by heavy toxic smoke and flames. Looking for an alternate entry route, Cst. Mundle ran to the other side of the trailer and broke the kitchen windows. The draft accelerated the spread of the fire but dissipated the smoke just enough to enable Cst. Lahaie to catch a glimpse of the victim lying on the floor. She immediately ran inside and, feeling her way, found the unconscious man half a metre from the flames. She was joined by Cst. Mundle and together they began dragging the man through the burning kitchen. Blinded by the smoke, they became disoriented but managed to find the exit where others helped complete the rescue. Despite the most valiant efforts of Csts. Lahaie and Mundle, the man subsequently died as a result of his injuries.