Presentation of Decorations for Bravery

The Governor General presented 45 Medals of Bravery at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on October 21, 2014.

"I have participated in a number of these ceremonies during my mandate, and I never fail to be moved by the courage that people often show in extreme situations," said the Governor General. "Those of you being recognized today have likewise shown extraordinary courage when called upon by circumstance to act. I am truly humbled by your stories of selflessness and bravery."

On April 27, 2012, Eli Day, Tyler Fowler and Dion Lefebvre pulled four people from their burning vehicles following a violent head-on collision near Wandering River, Alberta. The rescuers managed to extricate the victims despite the rapidly spreading fire. Sadly, several occupants of both vehicles did not survive.

On October 27, 2011, Jeremy Kerr, Lonney Lee, Shawn Nagurny, Francis Nand, Haim Peri and John Redmond evacuated six people from a burning aircraft that had crashed on a highway in Richmond, British Columbia. Ignoring the intense heat and dense smoke enveloping the aircraft, the rescuers entered the plane several times to help pull the injured passengers out.

On February 1, 2011, Constable Skeeter Kruger, of the Ontario Provincial Police, rescued a man in danger of drowning in the Muskoka River, in Bracebridge, Ontario. Constable Kruger crawled onto the thin ice to reach the victim, pulled him out of the water and, with the help of others, brought him safely to shore.

On April 19, 2011, Rachel Lacroix Pilon and teachers Janelle Lanoix and Josée Pilotte risked their lives to protect their primary school students from an armed intruder, in Buckingham, Quebec. The three women responded calmly and quickly to the threat. They prevented the man from gaining access to the classrooms and successfully defused a volatile situation. The police were then able to apprehend the suspect without incident.

On June 26, 2011, 13-year-old Brandon Manion attempted to rescue a friend in danger of drowning in the Vermillion River, in Capreol, Ontario. Sadly, the young victim was swept away by the surging waters and disappeared under the surface, despite Brandon’s best efforts to save him.

On September 16, 2011, constables Sean Rogan and Charles Sasso rescued an injured man from a burning vehicle in Windsor, Ontario. The accident left the vehicle on its side, with the driver dangling from a precarious position. Messrs. Rogan and Sasso reached into the damaged car and removed the driver through the sunroof.

Created in 1972, Decorations for Bravery recognize people who risked their lives to try to save or protect the lives of others. The Cross of Valour (C.V.) recognizes acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril; the Star of Courage (S.C.) recognizes acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril; and the Medal of Bravery (M.B.) recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.