Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: March 14, 1983
• Invested on: June 24, 1983

Constable Edward James Kennedy, M.B.
John Theodore (Ted) Kierstead, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On the morning of 25 April 1981, Cst. James Kennedy, of the Sarnia Police Force, and a local resident, Ted Kierstead, risked their lives in an attempt to save a drowning man. Participants in a fishing derby, two men were thrown into the icy waters of Lake Huron when high waves overturned their small fibreglass boat. Both men started swimming towards shore. On reaching the shallows, where he was pulled out by Mr. Kierstead, one man reported that his companion was still in the water. Meanwhile the police had arrived on the scene. Two-metre-high swells made rescue very dangerous but, disregarding the peril to themselves, Cst. Kenny and Mr. Kierstead launched an aluminium rowboat which was quickly swamped. Undaunted, they returned ashore and, though wet and shivering, tried a second time. When they finally succeeded, despite failing strength, Mr. Kierstead rowed while Cst. Kennedy bailed to remain afloat. They found the inert body of the victim lying prone in the water and brought him to shore. He had died of a heart attack; attempts to revive him failed.