Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1975-08-18
Invested on: 1975-09-22
RCMP Constable James Adam Bell, M.B.
RCMP Sergeant Thomas Charlton, M.B.
RCMP Constable Brian Leicht, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
Cst. James Bell, Cst. Brian Leicht and Sgt. Thomas Charlton of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, at considerable risk to their own lives, apprehended without the use of firearms, two gunmen during a bank robbery in Vancouver, British Columbia on December 17, 1973. The events unfolded in a shopping mall and it was decided to avoid a shootout as a measure of protection for bystanders and several hostages. Positioning themselves to one side of the bank, the officers waited until the thieves had made their exit and then sprang onto them. When Sgt. Charlton grabbed hold of one of the bandits, the other drew his gun and fired, wounding Cst. Bell and narrowly missing Cst. Leicht. Before any further harm could prevail, the officers wrestled the culprits to the ground and overpowered them. By their brave conduct, violence was overcome and no innocent lives were lost.