Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: December 21, 1999
• Invested on: December 08, 2000

On January 2, 1999, Claude Ledoux tried to save his brother-in-law, whose all-terrain vehicle had fallen into the waters of 31 Milles lake in Sainte-Thérèse-de-la-Gatineau, Quebec. Mr. Ledoux and his brother-in-law were out for a drive on the lake when the latter's vehicle fell through the ice. Mr. Ledoux quickly crawled towards him and succeeded in grabbing hold of him, but the thin ice broke, and he himself fell into the water. After removing his coat and boots, Mr. Ledoux succeeded in hoisting himself onto the surface. He made further attempts to save the victim, but despite his efforts, he could not help him as the ice gave way two more times under his weight. Exhausted and suffering from hypothermia, Mr. Ledoux went in search of assistance to recover the body of the victim.