Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 2000-06-14
Invested on: 2001-02-02
On September 16, 1999, William Pockiak apprehended an armed and disgruntled factory employee in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The angry and inebriated man had stormed into the building uttering threats and then fired a warning shot in front of some 50 bewildered co-workers. Informed of the situation, Mr. Pockiak came out of his office to face the aggressor who pointed a gun at his head. Wanting to avert a tragedy, Mr. Pockiak tackled the assaillant, grabbed his wrist and forced him to point the gun down. A shot was fired during the struggle and both men fell to the ground. Undeterred, Mr. Pockiak held onto the gunman's hand until others helped to disarm and restrain him until police arrived.