Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: January 12, 1987
• Invested on: March 06, 1987

On the morning of December 17, 1985, Chief of Police Léo Lessard, a resident of Ile Perrot, risked his life to save three children trapped on the top floor of a burning building. Mr. Lessard was driving by when he noticed flames shooting from a window in the building. He immediately headed toward the site and started the evacuation process. Informed that three children were missing, he grabbed a ladder and climbed to the balcony of the apartment in which they were trapped. He opened the patio door and, braving the thick smoke, groped his way around on his hands and knees. About one and a half metres from the door, he discovered a four-year-old girl lying lifeless. He dragged her out onto the balcony and tried in vain to revive her. Since no one had followed him to the top floor, Mr. Lessard climbed down the ladder with the little girl and confided her to helping hands. Ignoring the danger, he re-entered the smoke-filled apartment and found a three-year-old boy, whom he brought back down to ground level. Exhausted, he asked a fireman to rescue the last occupant, a five-year-old boy. The three victims were taken to hospital, where the girl was pronounced dead.