Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 15, 1987
• Invested on: September 25, 1987

Sergeant William Gilbert Cowdroy Andrews, M.B.
R.C.M.P. Constable Randall William Marquardt, M.B.
R.C.M.P. Constable Reginald Charles Steward, M.B.
R.C.M.P. Constable Jan Van Den Born, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On April 9, 1986, while on a routine patrol, Cst. Randy Marquardt observed a high-rise apartment building on fire in Coquitlam, British Columbia. Having requested back-up and alerted the fire department, he entered the building, climbed the stairs to the 12th floor and began knocking on doors to warn occupants and direct them to the stairwell. By this time, smoke was dense throughout the building. He proceeded downstairs, stopping on each floor to alert occupants. Unable to enter the 9th floor because of the heavy smoke, he was met on the 8th by Sgt. Andrews who assisted him in his task. One the 6th floor, they were joined by Cst. Reg Steward and, having obtained a master key, they went back to the 12th floor to ensure all occupants had left the building. Again they were unable to enter the 9th floor. Once outside, Cst. Marquardt, who had been overcome by smoke inhalation, was helped to an ambulance. Cst. Steward and Sgt. Andrews assisting in crowd control, observed seven people still stranded on 9th floor balconies. Along with Cst. Jan Van Den Born, they re-entered, climbed to the 9th and located the apartments where people remained. They had to force their way in and break the balcony windows to get to the frightened occupants. They then assisted them to the stairwell and downstairs where they were treated for smoke inhalation.