Constable Darren Wayne Barrington

  • Sydney River, Nova Scotia

Decorations for Bravery

  • Medal of Bravery

    • Awarded on: June 21, 2007
    • Invested on: February 29, 2008

    Constable Darren Wayne Barrington, M.B.
    Constable Melbourne James Birmingham, M.B.*
    Acting Sergeant Wayne MacDonald, M.B.*
    Medal of Bravery

    On October 29, 2004, Cape Breton Regional Police constables Darren Barrington and Mel Birmingham, and acting Sergeant Wayne MacDonald entered a burning home to rescue an octogenarian, in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia. Unable to cross the wall of flames that blocked the front entrance, the rescuers raced around the house and broke through the rear door. Crawling on their hands and knees, constables Barrington and Birmingham located the victim lying on the kitchen floor, a few metres from their entry point. While the officers grabbed the victim by the arms, acting Sergeant MacDonald pulled them by their belts and guided them outside to safety. Both victim and rescuers suffered from severe smoke inhalation that required medical attention.

    * This is the second award of a Medal of Bravery for both Constable Birmingham and acting Sergeant MacDonald.