Star of Courage
Awarded on: 2002-04-18
Invested on: 2002-12-09
On March 18, 2001, Richard Joseph Lewis risked his life to rescue his 18-month-old son from a fiery death in Elginburg, Ontario. Awakened by their oldest son's cries, Mr. Lewis and his wife jumped out of bed and realized that flames and the heavy, acrid smell of smoke were spreading through the entire house. After leaving the house with their family, the couple realized that their youngest son was missing and rushed back in. When his wife became trapped, Mr. Lewis pulled her free and pushed her back out. He was then able to make his way through the blaze to his toddler's bedroom. He pulled the terrified child from his crib, wrapped him in his shirt and ran back through the raging fire to the front door. He then tossed the baby outside through a wall of flames and into his mother's waiting arms before collapsing at the doorstep, overcome by the toxic smoke. Luckily, the baby escaped unharmed but Mr. Lewis received third degree burns to his hands, legs and feet.