During the afternoon of July 1, 1984, Dennis Labelle risked his life to save two boys from drowning in Spring Lake. As soon as he saw the boys in trouble some 300 metres from shore, Mr. Labelle dove in and swam to them. The younger clung desperately to his brother who, hampered, could not swim for shore and had difficulty keeping them both afloat. Mr. Labelle convinced the younger boy to let go of his brother an hang on to him, enabling the older to swim ashore unaided. Weighed down by the boy who kept dragging him under, Mr. Labelle set out for the beach. Near shore the boy panicked, struggling violently with the nearly-exhausted rescuer and forcing them under three times. Despite fatigue Mr. Labelle persisted, keeping the boy afloat until Patrick Alois Frick arrived to assist.
Mr. Frick was awarded a Medal of Bravery for his rescue efforts.