Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: February 25, 2019
• Invested on: October 24, 2024

David E. Fragoso, S.C. (posthumous)
Spruce Grove, Alberta
Corporal Jean-Guy Christian Pascal Richard, M.B.
Cochrane, Alberta

On June 30, 2014, off-duty RCMP Corporal Pascal Richard and David Fragoso saved the life of a young girl from a burning car near Mallaig, Alberta. Mr. Fragoso, his partner and his daughter were travelling in a minivan when they were involved in a three-vehicle collision. The minivan caught fire, trapping Mr. Fragoso and the two other passengers inside. Arriving on the scene, Cpl Richard attempted to open the van doors, but they were jammed. He then tried to pull Mr. Fragoso out through the driver’s side window, but the man’s legs were stuck in the burning wreckage. Ignoring the flames rapidly spreading over his own body, Mr. Fragoso grabbed a fire extinguisher from Cpl Richard and sprayed his partner and then his daughter, who was in the back seat. Now alerted to the presence of a third victim, Cpl Richard and two bystanders broke the window of the rear sliding door and pulled the girl out. Sadly, neither Mr. Fragoso nor his partner survived.