Constable Melbourne James Birmingham, M.B.
Constable Shaun MacLennan, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
On October 14, 2004, in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Regional Police constables Mel Birmingham and Shaun MacLennan saved a suicidal man from drowning in the ocean. From a 25-metre-high cliff, the police officers spotted the victim's head bobbing up and down with the ocean tide, some five metres from shore. Realizing that the man was in trouble, they made their way down the steep cliff to the rocky beach and entered the cold, choppy waters to reach his side. Battling the strong current, they grabbed hold of the resisting man, brought him to shore and remained with him until emergency services arrived.