Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: March 25, 1998
• Invested on: September 18, 1998

On January 20, 1997, David Crocker rescued neighbours from their burning third-floor apartment in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. When smoke began filling his own apartment, Mr. Crocker quickly called the fire department, then fled into the hallway where he heard his neighbours' cries. Banging on the door, he urged them to get out and when the door opened, a teenage girl emerged from a wall of choking black smoke, carrying a three-year-old boy. As Mr. Crocker led them to safety, the girl told him that her mother was still inside. With visibility hampered by the dense, toxic smoke, Mr. Crocker crawled into the apartment, calling to the woman. Following the sound of her moans, he located her on the floor. He managed to drag the severely burned victim to a stairwell where others provided assistance. By then, conditions had worsened and Mr. Crocker sought refuge on the balcony of his own apartment, from which he was rescued by firefighters.