Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: April 28, 2011
• Invested on: September 20, 2011

Alexandre Phaneuf, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On May 26, 2009, Alexandre Phaneuf jumped into the freezing waters of the Rivière des Prairies to save the life of a suicidal woman, in Laval, Quebec. While crossing a bridge, Mr. Phaneuf noticed several onlookers peering over the side. When asked, they explained that a young woman had jumped off the bridge. Mr. Phaneuf, an experienced lifeguard, immediately went to the water's edge, where he saw the victim floating some distance away. He swam toward the victim, who kept drifting farther and farther away. Fighting against the strong current, he finally reached the woman. He spoke calmly to her and safely towed her back to the riverbank.