On Oct. 24, Governor General of Canada Mary Simon presented 38 Decorations for Bravery during a ceremony that was held at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Two of the recipients were from Central Alberta including Corporal Brandon Tobin, M.B. of Drayton Valley and Corporal Guy Johnson, M.B. of Red Deer.
The Decorations for Bravery offer three levels of recognition: the Cross of Valour (C.V.), the Star of Courage (S.C.), and the Medal of Bravery (M.B.). One Cross of Valour, one Star of Courage and 36 Medals of Bravery were awarded during the ceremony. The Cross of Valour is Canada’s highest civilian honour. Since its creation in 1972, it has only been awarded 21 times.
Corporal Tobin and Corporal Johnson each received a Medal of Bravery:
Corporal Brandon Tobin
Drayton Valley, Alberta
On March 29, 2018, RCMP officers in Evansburg, Alberta, spotted a suspect’s vehicle and began a pursuit. The suspect got out and fired on the officers with a high-powered rifle. Sergeant Topham fired back but was shot and rendered unconscious. The team provided covering fire while Constable Czarnecki approached Sergeant Topham. Still under fire, Constable Wong retrieved a first aid kit, while Corporal Tobin and Constable Facendi apprehended the shooter.
*The decoration awarded to Sergeant Brian Topham will be presented to him at a later date.
Corporal Guy Johnson
Red Deer, Alberta
On December 3, 2011, in Breton, Alberta, corporals Peter King and Guy Johnson, and Constable Ron Lyver, saved a colleague who was shot on duty. Responding to an active shooter situation, Corporal Johnson provided cover as Corporal King and Constable Lyver ran to assist the victim, with Corporal King getting shot twice in the process. Constable Lyver returned fire, allowing them to move their colleague to safety.
*The decoration awarded to Corporal Guy Johnson was presented to him previously.
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