Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1983-05-13
Invested on: 1983-09-09
In response to an emergency call on the afternoon of 20 May 1981, Cst. Daniel Béland of the National Harbours Board, in Montreal, went to the Jacques Cartier bridge to prevent an eighteen- year-old would-be suicide from jumping. Cst. Béland climbed to the top of the steel structure, high above the St. Lawrence River, having to stop twice because of strong winds. While approaching he spoke in a quiet voice to the distraught young man who was threatening to jump if the police officer came any closer. Sensing the weakening resolve in the youth he persisted and, perched in a very precarious position, continued to talk to the young man for about fifteen minutes until he finally convinced him to return to safety. There is no doubt that Cst. Béland acted beyond the call of duty, placing his own life in danger.