Medal of Bravery

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

Marco A.A. Lehmann, M.B.
Sharon Louise McCollum, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On February 20, 1998, Sharon McCollum and Marco Lehmann rescued a wheelchair-bound man from a burning house in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Home care worker Sharon McCollum was hit by a wall of thick black smoke when she opened the elderly man's front door. Despite the heat, she crawled through the living room calling to him, and located him on the kitchen floor. Knowing she could not move him by herself, she ran to Mr. Lehmann's house for help. Together, they attempted to enter the house but were forced back by the heat and smoke. Mr. Lehmann wrapped a wet towel around his head and made his way inside. He found the man under the kitchen table, his clothes partially on fire. He extinguished the flames, transferred the towel to the man's head and reached up to unlock the back door. Joined by Ms. McCollum, he then dragged the victim to the porch and administered first aid until help arrived. Sadly, the man did not recover from his injuries.