On October 31, 1995, Michael Ponty helped a police officer subdue an assailant during an arrest in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. An emotionally distraught man, struggling to avoid being arrested, started fighting with a police officer in the hallway between Mr. Ponty's store and a back office. Mr. Ponty called 911 to advise that the officer required assistance and then, without hesitation, he joined the struggle. When the aggressor got hold of the officer's gun, Mr. Ponty reached over and pushed the barrel of the gun away from the policeman's head just as the firearm discharged. The officer and Mr. Ponty continued to maintain their hold on the assailant and the gun, until back-up help arrived and the man was finally overpowered.