Recipients of the 2024 Ontario Medals for Police and Firefighter Bravery

The Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery was created in 1976 and honours firefighters who have gone above and beyond to protect and serve their communities.

The 2024 recipients of the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery and the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery include:

Acting Sergeant Jeff Sarley of Belleville Police Service

On September 21, 2024, Acting Sergeant Jeff Sarley responded to multiple reports of a cube truck driving dangerously through a Belleville neighbourhood. The truck ran into vehicles, yards and even a house. Fearing for public safety, Sarley positioned his cruiser across the street to block the truck’s path. As the truck accelerated toward him, he escaped on foot mere seconds before the truck violently collided with his cruiser, spinning it 15 metres and crushing its front end. Despite the life-threatening situation, Sarley immediately returned to arrest the driver who was later charged with impaired and dangerous driving. Sarley’s decisive actions and disregard for his own safety prevented serious harm. His courage exemplifies the highest standards of police service.

Constable Sarah Joseph and Constable Benjamin Kenter of Ontario Provincial Police

On July 30, 2023, Constables Sarah Joseph and Benjamin Kenter responded to a report of a person in a mental health crisis attempting to drown themselves off Grand Bend Beach. In the middle of the night, with stormy weather and high winds creating treacherous conditions, the officers spotted a faint light from the individual’s phone approximately 150 metres offshore. The wind, waves and distance drowned out the officers’ voices, making it impossible for the person to hear their calls. Recognizing the urgency, both officers swam into deep water to reach the individual. Their emotional and intoxicated state made the rescue more dangerous and unpredictable. Kenter approached from behind while Joseph engaged them from the front. Together, they brought the person safely to shore. Their courageous actions turned a potentially tragic situation into a lifesaving rescue.

Sergeant Erin Huckell of Ontario Provincial Police

On September 5, 2023, in Dryden, Sergeant Erin Huckell and another police officer responded to a domestic incident where a young child was present in the home. Upon hearing a scream inside, they forced entry, fearing for the child’s safety. They were confronted by the suspect in a dark, confined space. The individual was agitated, under the influence and armed with a sword. As the officers attempted to arrest the suspect, the individual violently resisted. The officers believed the suspect’s intent was to kill them, and they were fighting for their lives. Huckell was stabbed in the thigh, and the other officer was bitten by a dog and slashed across the back. With the help of backup, they subdued the suspect. Their fearless response protected a child and each other.

Constable Kyle Lamothe and Constable Samson Vo of Ottawa Police Service

On November 6, 2023, Constables Kyle Lamothe and Samson Vo were patrolling Ottawa’s Centertown neighbourhood when they observed four people, two known to be affiliated with an emerging street gang. Without warning, one man pulled out a pistol and fired five rounds, striking one of the individuals in the shoulder. Lamothe immediately exited the cruiser and ran toward the gunfire, identifying the shooter and pursuing him on foot. He captured and arrested the armed suspect. Meanwhile, Vo chased a second suspect, not knowing who had the firearm, and arrested him at gunpoint. Both officers placed themselves in direct danger, confronting armed suspects in a chaotic and unpredictable scene. Their decisive actions stopped an active shooter and protected the public.

Constable Paddye Magill and Constable Patrick Wiseman of Ottawa Police Service

On March 22, 2024, Constables Paddye Magill and Patrick Wiseman were conducting patrols in Ottawa’s Carlington neighbourhood when a suspicious vehicle drove through at high speed, endangering residents. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle jumped a curb and went airborne, eventually coming to a stop. As the suspect fled on foot with a firearm in hand, Wiseman pursued the individual through a busy area filled with pedestrians. Despite the immediate threat, he continued to chase the suspect, commanding them to drop the weapon. When the suspect turned and pointed the gun at both officers, Wiseman discharged his firearm, stopping the threat. Magill provided emergency first aid and made the final arrest. Their split-second decisions and fearless actions while under fire protected innocent bystanders and demonstrated exceptional bravery.

Constable Joshua Gurney of Owen Sound Police Service

On September 24, 2023, Constable Joshua Gurney responded to a violent incident at an apartment building. The building’s superintendent was ambushed by an individual armed with a hunting knife and bear spray. Gurney ran toward the attack area, pulled the victim to safety then placed himself between the suspect and the injured victim. The suspect turned on Gurney, spraying him and slashing at him with the knife. Struggling to breathe and speak, he drew his firearm and retreated backward while shouting commands. The suspect chased him. With nowhere left to run, Gurney was able to transition from his firearm to his conducted energy weapon and stop the suspect. The suspect was later found to have tied the knife to their wrist and possessed numerous other weapons. Gurney’s courage and quick thinking under extreme danger saved the superintendent’s life.

Constable Karl Brown and Constable Erik Ostenfeldt of Sarnia Police Service

On August 20, 2024, Constables Karl Brown and Erik Ostenfeldt responded to a welfare check at an apartment in Sarnia where a person had been heard screaming in pain. After getting no response, they entered the unit and forced open a locked bathroom door. Brown was immediately ambushed and stabbed multiple times by the occupant, who had been hiding behind the door. Despite serious injuries, Brown fought to control the attacker. Ostenfeldt rushed in, jumping over them and delivering strikes to cause the suspect to drop the knife. Working together in a small, confined space, the officers brought the suspect under control and placed them into custody. Their quick thinking and fearless actions in the face of extreme danger likely saved Brown’s life and stopped a dangerous individual.

Constable Colin Burning and Constable Richard Smith of Six Nations Police Service

On November 8, 2024, Constables Richard Smith and Colin Burning were on patrol in Six Nations of the Grand River when they came upon a vehicle that had crashed and rolled into a ditch. The car was on its side and on fire. Inside, they saw an unconscious person in the driver’s seat. They used an axe to break the windshield and reach the victim. As flames began appearing around the dashboard, the driver woke up and crawled to the back seat, away from the fire. The officers repositioned to the back of the vehicle and pulled the individual out through the rear window just before the car was fully engulfed. All three were treated for smoke inhalation. Smith and Burning’s quick thinking and fearless actions saved the driver’s life and averted a tragic outcome.

Constable Matthew Cabral of Waterloo Regional Police Service

On February 5, 2025, Constable Matthew Cabral was on patrol in Kitchener when his cruiser’s license plate reader flagged a vehicle registered to a suspended driver. The suspect saw the police cruiser and fled, running a red light and crashing into another car. The suspect exited and approached Cabral, threatening to fight. Cabral deployed his stun gun twice, with no effect. The suspect tried to grab the officer’s firearm and then returned to their vehicle, emerging with a hatchet. Cabral held his ground, issued commands and attempted a gunpoint arrest while keeping the public safe in a busy intersection. The suspect was eventually subdued with help from a second officer who arrived on scene. Cabral’s restraint, quick thinking and courage under pressure protected the community during a dangerous and unpredictable encounter.

Firefighter Jesse Di Giovanni and Firefighter Jack Rooney of Caledon Fire and Emergency Services

On August 17, 2024, Firefighters Jessie Di Giovanni and Jack Rooney were driving on Highway 410 near Mississauga when they spotted a vehicle overturned in a flooded trench. Bystanders were calling for help, saying someone was trapped inside. Without hesitation, Di Giovanni and Rooney entered the murky water and inspected the submerged car. Rooney located the unconscious driver underwater, but unfortunately the victim was stuck. Di Giovanni dove back into the water, unbuckled the seatbelt and adjusted the seat. With help from an arriving OPP officer, they shifted the vehicle enough for Di Giovanni to free the driver. Di Giovanni and Rooney acted swiftly and selflessly in a life-threatening situation.

Fire Inspector Frank Paniccia of Toronto Fire Services

On February 7, 2024, Toronto Fire Services Inspector Frank Paniccia was conducting a scheduled inspection when he noticed smoke and a burning smell on the 16th floor. While investigating, he was informed of a fire in a unit on the second floor, with reports that someone might still be inside. Without protective gear and facing heavy smoke, Paniccia entered the unit to attempt a rescue. On his third attempt, he found the unconscious occupant behind a bedroom door engulfed in flames. He pulled the victim to safety and began CPR in the stairwell until emergency crews arrived. Paniccia’s quick, selfless actions in the face of danger saved a life.

Captain David Frantzem, Firefighter Kent McDonald and Firefighter Ben Roberts of Toronto Fire Services

On March 29, 2024, Toronto Fire Services Aerial 411 crew responded to a call on Weston Road. Upon arrival, Captain David Frantzem and Firefighters Kent McDonald and Ben Roberts encountered a violent assault in progress. The victim was being stabbed and losing blood rapidly. The crew intervened immediately, physically separating the assailant from the victim while attempting to disarm them. The assailant repeatedly tried to resume attacking the victim, but the crew was able to subdue them and secure the scene. Frantzem, McDonald and Roberts acted without hesitation to try to save a life, showing true courage under pressure.

Captain Christopher Curry, Firefighter Terry Williams and Firefighter Adonis Perez of Whitby Fire and Emergency Services

On August 20, 2024, Whitby Fire and Emergency Services responded to a house fire with reports of a person trapped on the second floor. Captain Christopher Curry and Firefighters Terry Williams and Adonis Perez encountered intense flames, heavy smoke and worsening conditions. Advancing with a fire hose, they extinguished fire after fire while searching for the occupant. They forced open a blocked door and found the unresponsive victim in a bedroom. Suddenly, the ceiling collapsed on the crew. Despite their training that calls for retreat, they pushed forward, cleared debris and created a path to carry the occupant to safety. Curry, Williams and Perez showed exceptional courage, staying calm and refusing to back down under extreme danger to save someone’s life.