Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 2004-10-27
Invested on: 2005-06-24
On September 13, 2003, Bradley Becker died while trying to rescue his eight-year-old daughter at Wasaga Beach, Ontario. The girl was playing on an air mattress when a strong wind pushed her farther out, some 200 metres into the bay. When she saw her father swimming towards her from shore, the girl jumped off the mattress and began swimming to meet him. Reaching her mid-way, Mr. Becker swam behind her, pushing her ahead and repeatedly pulling her from under the surface while shouting encouragements. Sadly, Mr. Becker was overcome by exhaustion before reaching safety and disappeared under the surface. The girl was eventually rescued by a man on a sea-doo who had come to help.