Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: October 25, 2001
• Invested on: December 09, 2002

RCMP Constable Patrick Maurice Lepage, M.B.
RCMP Constable Michael Gerald Stanford, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On September 12, 1999, Maurice Lepage and Michael Stanford entered a smoke-filled apartment to rescue an elderly man from a fiery death, in Kimberley, British Columbia. Dispatched to the scene, the officers were informed that a mentally unstable man was still inside his basement apartment. Despite the risks, the officers immediately made their way inside. Following closely behind his partner, Cst. Stanford was crawling toward the flames when he was overcome by the blinding smoke. He returned to the front entrance only to find that the door had closed behind them. Meanwhile, Cst. Lepage had crawled farther in and located the victim in a back room, lying on his smouldering bed. Gasping for air, he grabbed hold of the unconscious man and, dragging him in zero visibility, was able to find the exit by following Cst. Stanford's voice as he yelled directions to guide him to the front door. Cst. Lepage and the victim were later treated for smoke-inhalation and burns.