Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: February 28, 2000
• Invested on: December 08, 2000

Barely six years old, Jean-Paul Theroux walked four kilometres to find help for his severely injured father after the two were in a snowmobiling accident on a mountain near Sparwood, Alberta, on April 11, 1997. With his father unable to move, nightfall approaching and freezing temperatures, Jean-Paul set out through the forest to find help. On his father's advice, he followed their snowmobile tracks. He became confused when tracks crossed with others but a plume of smoke led him to a factory, though he found no help there. Upset and afraid, he continued his trek, sometimes through deep snow, until he reached the highway. A passing motorist drove him to a weigh station where authorities sent help to his father.