Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: April 4, 2007
• Invested on: February 29, 2008

RCMP Constable Stephen William Vigor, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On March 3, 2005, Constable Stephen Vigor was instrumental in preventing a mentally unstable and heavily armed man from escaping a crime scene, in Mayerthorpe, Alberta. During a routine search of the suspect's rural property, Constable Vigor heard several firearm discharges coming from the Quonset hut where four of his partners had just entered. Seconds later, Constable Vigor encountered the heavily armed man coming out of the building. Without warning, the suspect aimed at him and fired two rounds, striking the police vehicle beside which Constable Vigor was standing. While another officer took cover in his car to call for assistance, Constable Vigor returned fire, hitting the suspect and forcing his retreat back into the Quonset. He maintained a watch until the arrival of backup. Tragically, the four other RCMP officers had been ambushed and killed by the suspect, who later took his own life.