Constable Marc-André Arpin
Constable Annie Arseneau
Commander Patrice Bigras
Constable Jimmy Hébert
Constable Paul Morin
Constable Danny Paquette
Sergeant Hugues Thibault
 

Montréal, Quebec

On August 31, 2017, constables Marc-André Arpin, Annie Arseneau, Jimmy Hébert, Paul Morin and Dany Paquette, Commander Patrice Bigras and Sergeant Hugues Thibault, all of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, rescued a baby from a burning apartment. While in the area for another operation, they were alerted by bystanders that a residential building was on fire. Constables Arpin and Arseneau entered neighbouring apartments to evacuate the residents before going into the apartment where the baby was located. Along with Commander Bigras and Constable Hébert, they entered the baby’s room to search for her while holding on to a lifeline. Because of the thick smoke and intense heat, they had to leave after a few seconds. At the same time, constables Morin and Paquette, along with Sergeant Thibault, entered the apartment through the balcony door into the kitchen, where the fire was located. They used a dozen extinguishers to dampen the flames, which allowed Constable Arpin to find the baby and get her out of the apartment safely.

Decorations for Bravery

Recipients of the Decorations for Bravery would never call themselves heroes, but that’s exactly what they are: everyday heroes. The individuals recognized by these decorations are those who have risked their lives and chose to defy their own instinct of survival to try to save a loved one or a perfect stranger whose life was in immediate danger.