RCMP Corporal Joseph Pierre Benoit Lemieux, M.S.M., Westmount, Que.
Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)
On May 19, 1995, Cpl Lemieux, a member of the UN Civilian Police Mission (UNCIVPOL), responded, along with other RCMP members, to a complaint that three murderers from a Haitian organized gang were planning to cause trouble in Les Cayes, Haiti. One man was quickly taken into custody but the other two fled with Cpl Lemieux in pursuit. Although he was shot at twice during the hour-long foot chase in extreme heat, Cpl Lemieux managed to capture one of the suspects and then prevented a mob of angry people from attacking him. Displaying great determination and professionalism, Cpl Lemieux maintained control of the volatile situation and led the criminal unharmed to the transportation vehicle while his colleagues apprehended the third fugitive. Cpl Lemieux’s actions resulted in a successful arrest without loss of life and has brought great credit to himself and to Canada.