Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1998-03-25
Invested on: 1998-09-18
On January 4, 1997, Cst. Éric Dubreuil prevented a suicidal man from jumping off the snow- and ice-covered roof of a shopping centre in Sudbury, Ontario. Dispatched to the scene, Cst. Dubreuil realized that the young man standing on the icy top of a parking garage elevator shaft was dangerously close to the edge. He immediately climbed up a ladder and kneeled down on the narrow surface in order not to agitate him further. In extremely cold north winds, Cst. Dubreuil continued talking for 40 minutes with the man who repeatedly threatened to jump onto the street, 10 metres below. When the cold and shivering victim backed one step away from the metal ledge and turned his back to Cst. Dubreuil to shield his face from the bitter wind, the officer seized the opportunity to grab him. The man resisted and struggled, but Cst. Dubreuil was able to restrain him with the aid of two fellow officers.