Cst. Dan Bailey, a K-9 officer with the Rainy River District OPP detachment, was among 14 police officers and eight firefighters to receive a medal of bravery from the province this afternoon.
Lt. Gov. David C. Onley invested the recipients with medals at a Queen’s Park ceremony while Safety and Correctional Services minister Rick Bartolucci presented framed certificates.
These medals of bravery are the province’s highest award in recognition of police officers and firefighters whose actions demonstrate courage and bravery in the line of duty.
Cst. Bailey’s story goes back to Aug. 1, 2006. While off-duty and visiting his brother at his home in Elgin County, Ont., he heard a “thumping” noise outside, similar to a car hitting the pavement.
He looked on the road and saw a car upside down and on fire.
Cst. Bailey approached the car and found two women inside—hanging upside down in their seatbelts.
He cut the driver’s seatbelt with his knife and was able to drag her out of the vehicle to safety.
Cst. Bailey then returned to the vehicle where the passenger was trapped, her hand pinned to the ground under the car.
He crawled back into the car and managed to get the passenger out.
While the passenger survived, the driver later died in hospital.
“The work and commitment of the firefighters and police officers we will honour [today] are a mark of their dedication to the safety of all Ontarians,” Lt. Gov. Onley said in a press release issued yesterday.
“I commend them for the exemplary service they have provided to our communities,” he added.
“The bestowing of the bravery medals is a reminder that there are those of us who put their own lives at risk on a daily basis to keep the rest of us safe,” noted Bartolucci.
“They have earned our respect and admiration.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
