O.P.P. Constable Joel G. Blacklock, M.B.
O.P.P. Sergeant Gary Nelson Collins, M.B., C.D.
Medal of Bravery
On April 2, 1997, Officers Joel Blacklock and Gary Collins rescued a man, stranded on an ice floe in Collins Creek, in Kingston Township, Ontario. Responding to a call for help, Cst. Blacklock and Sgt. Collins walked two kilometres through dense bush to reach the scene. They spotted a man, lying on the ice 200 metres from shore. The officers tried to reach him but the ice gave way. On their second attempt, they managed to walk half way to him thrashing through icy waters before having to turn back as their legs became numb. Seeing that the man had also fallen through and was struggling against the current, they started towards him a third time, shouting encouragement. The victim managed to climb back onto the ice and to crawl towards them. With failing strength, the officers ventured out 100 metres, breaking the ice with their bodies. As they grabbed hold of the victim who was again in the water, the panicked man jumped on to Sgt. Collins and pushed him under. The officers took control and, shaking violently from 20 minutes in the numbing water, towed the now semi-conscious victim back towards shore where they were met by emergency crews.