Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1985-03-18
Invested on: 1985-09-27
On the evening of 27 May 1983, Denis Jomphe saved a total stranger who had resolved to end his life in the Montreal Aqueduct canal near the Jolicoeur Bridge in Verdun. Mr. Jomphe saw a man walking towards the canal, then heard a splash. He stopped his car, hurried down the steep incline and dove into the cold and murky waters. The rescuer tried to assist the man to safety, but he made no effort to save himself. Mr. Jomphe then returned to shore and yelled for help without success. Seeing the man disappearing slowly under the surface, he jumped in again, reached him and grabbed him by the belt. Chilled by the water and exhausted, Mr. Jomphe pulled the limp body to shore and up the embankment. The man regained consciousness shortly afterwards.