Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: November 25, 2010
• Invested on: February 24, 2012

Jewel James, M.B.
Sergeant John K. Potts, M.B.
Constable Michelle L. Stinson, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On October 23, 2008, Jewel James, Sergeant John Potts and Constable Michelle Stinson of the Ontario Provincial Police entered a burning house to rescue an elderly couple, in Larder Lake, Ontario. Sergeant Potts and Constable Stinson, who were not on duty, were driving by when they noticed smoke escaping from the eaves of a house. They ran up to the house just as Ms. James arrived to assist. They made their way into the kitchen, where they found a woman who was unaware of the fire. Constable Stinson and Ms. James escorted the woman outside while Sergeant Potts located a man sleeping in one of the bedrooms. Sergeant Potts brought the man outside, through flames that had now spread through the main entrance. He re-entered the house one last time to check for other residents, while Constable Stinson and Ms. James stood guard at the door to keep the frantic couple from re-entering the house. Within a minute of Sergeant Potts' exiting, the house was completely engulfed.