Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: April 28, 2005
• Invested on: December 02, 2005

O.P.P. Constable Bryan D. Bertoncello, M.B.
O.P.P. Constable Angela L. Davis-Witty, M.B.
O.P.P. Constable Michael D. Johnston, M.B.
O.P.P. Constable Sylvie D. Moore, M.B.
Kevin Schraeder, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On September 19, 2004, these five individuals helped in the evacuation of residents from a burning building that housed three businesses and six residential apartments, in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. As heavy flames billowed from a second floor apartment, constables Bertoncello, Davis-Witty, Johnston and Moore entered the hazardous environment and ascended the stairwell filled with black, acrid smoke to search for the trapped residents. Meanwhile, Mr. Schraeder, one of the tenants, pounded on doors to alert his neighbours to the fire, before assisting police officers in their search for missing residents. The rescuers were forced to retreat from the building when the ceiling and walls of the stairwell became completely engulfed in flames. Sadly, in spite of the rescuers' efforts, two tenants perished in the fire.