Medal of Bravery

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

Kevin Bruce Boettger, M.B.
Rodney Dale Cowan, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On August 20, 1985, Kevin Boettger and Rodney Cowan saved a woman from burning to death in her car. The victim was sprayed with gasoline while filling her car at a self-serve gas station in Brockville, Ontario. When she started the car it burst into flames and started to roll down a slope towards a busy street. It came to a stop at a fence, with two of the gas station employees attempting to open the doors, just as Mr. Boettger pulled into the gas station. He immediately tore the fire extinguisher from his van and emptied it into the burning vehicle through the partially-open driver's side window. Reaching into the car he opened the door, unfastened the unconscious woman's seatbelt, and, assisted by Rodney Cowan who had previously been attempting to reach her through the broken back window, removed her from the vehicle. They carried her to a grassy area and covered her with blankets to await the arrival of an ambulance. Although very badly burned, the victim recovered.