Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: January 3, 1975
• Invested on: September 22, 1975

When a mentally disturbed boy threatened to jump from the roof of his school in St. Boniface, Manitoba, on September 4, 1973, thirteen-year-old John Davie volunteered his help. The police and fire departments had already arrived but the boy's threats prevented them from attempting to bring him down. The mother of the deranged child and his young friend, John Davie, were brought to the scene. The two boys spoke and it was agreed that John should ascend to the rooftop. There he tried to convince his friend to come down but the other refused. Two constables then started to climb ladders on different sides of the building. When the victim attempted to topple one of the ladders, John tackled the distraught boy and held him until the police reached the roof and subdued the victim. John Davie's courage and cool-headedness may well have averted a tragedy.