Star of Courage

• Awarded on: December 12, 2018
• Invested on: September 12, 2019

On August 7, 2018, constables Ryan Barnett and Josh McSweeney of the Toronto Police Service rescued two victims from a flooded elevator during a torrential rain storm in Toronto, Ontario. Rising floodwaters had trapped two people in the basement of an apartment building. Arriving on the scene, constables Barnett and McSweeney realized that the only other entry point into the basement was through a half-submerged, locked door. Constable McSweeney retrieved the key from the superintendent and both constables dove into the murky water. Constable Barnett inserted the key in the lock and struggled to force the door open. The constables then swam past debris and electrical wiring, following the victims’ cries to the elevator. Realizing he could not open the doors, Constable McSweeney went back upstairs to retrieve a pry bar from the superintendent. With only minutes to spare before the elevator cabin was completely filled with water, the constables pried open the doors and guided the victims to safety.