Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: April 4, 2007
• Invested on: February 29, 2008

Steve Cotton, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On June 27, 2005, Steve Cotton rescued a woman from a burning apartment in Laval, Quebec. Unable to open the front door, Mr. Cotton used an axe to break the glass on the patio door at the back of the apartment. Once inside, he heard a faint cry for help over the crackling of the flames. Following the voice, he walked a few metres into the thick smoke before he felt someone grab his leg. When he bent down under the cloud of smoke, he saw the victim, who was barely conscious, lying on the floor. He quickly grabbed her and started dragging her outside. Mr. Cotton was almost at the door when he collapsed, overcome by the toxic fumes. A few seconds later, neighbours who had heard the glass shattering arrived on the scene and helped Mr. Cotton get the victim to safety.