Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: November 21, 1988
• Invested on: June 02, 1989

R.C.M.P. Corporal Brian Robert Douglas, M.B.
R.C.M.P. Constable Craig Allan Gates, M.B.
R.C.M.P. Constable Robert Douglas Hagymasy, M.B.
R.C.M.P. Constable Thomas Richard Hansen, M.B.*
R.C.M.P. Constable Phillip David Morris, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On September 10, 1986, five members of the R.C.M.P. North Vancouver Detachment risked their lives in an attempt to save four children who were being held hostage in the family home by their mentally-unstable father. The man, who was armed with several pistols, was determined to die either by his own hand or in a "shoot-out" with police and had threatened to shoot the children as well. Noticing smoke and flames within the house and concerned for the safety of the children, Cpl. Douglas and Csts. Gates, Hagymasy, Hansen and Morris broke into the residence. The thick black, smoke in the house forced them to search the main floor on their hands and knees and to go outside occasionally to catch their breath. Confident that all of the occupants were upstairs Csts. Gates, Hagymasy and Hansen donned airpacks and proceeded up the burning staircase with their guns drawn. At the top of the stairway they discovered the body of the man surrounded by three pistols. While Csts. Hagymasy and Hansen removed him for medical attention, Cst. Gates searched along the still-burning and smoke-filled hallway for the children. Tragically, he discovered that they had been shot before their father had set the fire.

* This is the second award of a Medal of Bravery to Cst. Hansen.