Star of Courage
Awarded on: 2011-09-15
Invested on: 2012-04-20
Marc Fortier, S.C. (posthumous)
Star of Courage
On May 17, 2009, Marc Fortier courageously gave his life to protect a friend from being attacked by her ex-boyfriend, in Amos, Quebec. Mr. Fortier was visiting the woman at her apartment when the assailant burst in and violently pinned her down. Mr. Fortier pulled the man off her, giving the woman a chance to escape to her baby's room and call the police. Meanwhile, Mr. Fortier tried to calm the intruder down, but was stabbed repeatedly. While on the floor and bleeding profusely, Mr. Fortier still tried to get up to help his friend. The attacker managed to take the woman and baby hostage, and after hours of negotiating with the police, the man agreed to release Mr. Fortier, then the baby, and eventually the woman. Sadly, Mr. Fortier did not survive his wounds.