Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1997-05-30
Invested on: 1997-12-05
On October 11, 1994, Christakis Begos died while attempting to overpower a gunman during a robbery in Toronto, Ontario. Mr. Begos was in a coffee shop late at night when two robbers entered, one brandishing a revolver and demanding money. When the owner reached into his pocket, the aggressor struck him on the head and pushed him to the floor as his firearm discharged. The man fired another shot in the direction of the owner while his masked accomplice collected the money. Mr. Begos then watched the duo enter a back room where several patrons were desperately trying to flee. Although he could have escaped at this point, Mr. Begos followed the assailants, determined to prevent a tragedy. While one robber collected the clients' money, he grabbed the gunman from behind in an ill-fated attempt to subdue him. The man broke free and turned his weapon on Mr. Begos, fatally wounding him in the chest.