Seven Montreal police officers receive Governor General Bravery Award

Seven Montreal police officers have been awarded Decorations for Bravery, one of Canada’s most respected and prestigious honours.

Governor General of Canada Mary Simon presented them with the award in a ceremony held at Rideau Hall Friday morning.

On August 31, 2017, constables Marc-André Arpin, Annie Arseneau, Jimmy Hébert, Paul Morin and Dany Paquette, Commander Patrice Bigras and Sergeant Hughes Thibault, all Montreal police (SPVM) officers, 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. Due to 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.

Constable Paul Morin, M.B. (Photo credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2022)

SPVM Constable Annie Arseneau receives Bravery Award. (screen capture)

 

The Governor General presented 41 Decorations for Bravery to Canadians who are considered everyday heroes. Decorations for Bravery honour courageous individuals who have risked their lives to try to save someone in imminent danger.

Friday’s event was particularly special, marking 50 years of Decorations for Bravery.

(Photo credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2022)

(Photo credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2022)

In 1972,  Queen Elizabeth II established a series of medals recognizing courageous acts. In the last 50 years, the Governor General has awarded Decorations for Bravery to more than 4,200 recipients.

Anyone can nominate a person for a Canadian honour. Each nomination is researched before being reviewed by an independent advisory committee or council, which then makes recommendations to the Governor General.

You can see the full list of recipients here.

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