Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 13, 1988
• Invested on: August 19, 1988

Constable Gary William Leslie, M.B.
Constable John Kent Podolski, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

During the night of December 28, 1985, Police Csts. Gary William Leslie and John Kent Podolski were called to a fire in one unit of an apartment building in Lacombe, Alberta. On arriving at the scene the two officers entered the building, Cst. Podolski carrying the fire extinguisher from his cruiser. When they reached the entrance to the basement apartment unit Cst. Leslie called out and, hearing an answering voice, forced open the door. The two officers entered the suite but were driven back by the thick black smoke. Retreating from the apartment, Cst. Leslie returned to his patrol car to get a flashlight while Cst. Podolski ran to the front of the building and used the fire extinguisher to smash the windows of the burning unit. Returning to the apartment the two officers crawled through the choking smoke and toxic fumes to the bedroom, where Cst. Leslie was able to put out the flames on the bed, on which the victim was lying, and carpet with the extinguisher. By this time the fire department and an ambulance had arrived and firefighters wearing full turnout gear and breathing apparatus were able to complete the rescue.