Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 2012-09-11
Invested on: 2013-02-08
Sarah Ann John, M.B.
Susan John, M.B. (posthumous)
Medal of Bravery
On October 13, 2008, Susan John and her daughter, Sarah, risked their lives to stop an intruder who was attacking Susan's mother, in Toronto, Ontario. A masked man had snuck into the older woman's bedroom and attacked her with a knife. Hearing the victim's screams, Susan and Sarah ran in to help, but the intruder turned his vicious attack on Susan. Sarah repeatedly hit the intruder but was unable to stop his assault. She then grabbed a phone, dialled 911 and made her escape. The man caught up with her in a nearby alley and strangled her until she lost consciousness. He then ran away, but was quickly apprehended by police. Sadly, neither Susan nor her mother survived.