Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: January 27, 1986
• Invested on: June 13, 1986

Although he was not on duty on July 25, 1984, Cst. William Halverson hurried to Government Wharf as soon as he learned that a vehicle had plunged into the stormy waters of the Bay of Fundy at Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. When he arrived Cst. Halverson saw three panic-stricken young men vainly trying to rescue a man whose vehicle had overturned in about three metres of water. Aware that the tide was coming in rapidly, and without concern for the danger, Cst. Halverson shinned down one of the wharf pilings and jumped into the icy water. Only on his second dive did he manage to open the door of the vehicle, grab hold of the victim and get him out. He brought the lifeless body to the surface. Exhausted from having to battle a current so strong that it had torn off part of his clothing, he was trying to revive the man by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when help arrived by boat. Unfortunately the victim could not be saved.