Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 2002-12-12
Invested on: 2003-06-13
On November 26, 1999, Sgt Claude Beaulieu, then Cpl, rescued a woman trapped in a burning vehicle in Longueuil, Quebec. After passing the police officer's car at high speed, the victim's truck skidded, crashed headlong into the front window of a commercial building and caught fire on impact. Sgt Beaulieu stopped his vehicle and ran to help the unconscious driver, who was trapped under the dashboard. With a great deal of effort, he managed to open the door and entered the vehicle despite the proximity of the flames and the intense heat. On his second attempt, he was able to free the victim and remove her from the burning wreck. He then dragged her to safety moments before the vehicle cab was completely engulfed in flames.