In a situation demanding bravery how would you respond? For two local men this question presented itself and they each acted selflessly, without regard for themselves.
A ceremony was held at 2 p.m. on Oct. 15 at Government House in Regina where 17 people were recognized across the province for various acts of bravery. The Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan presented the awards to both law enforcement personnel and civilians who risked their lives to help another in need.
Eldon "Edgy" Maxie of the White Bear First Nations was awarded a Royal Canadian Humane Association Bravery Bronze Medal on Monday, Oct. 15, by Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield. Cst. Daniel Earle received an Honorary Testimonial Certificate in relation to responding to a call, which saw Scott Murray of Melville receive a Bronze Medal.
Maxie was nominated and awarded the medal for his bravery regarding a security matter at the White Bear Lake Resort in August of 2011. He has worked security here for many years and has helped many in this capacity. Last fall, however, there was a call Maxie received from a cabin owner who reported seeing a break and enter by an unknown man.
Maxie proceeded directly to this cabin; but, upon arrival it was found one of the men was armed. Pulling a knife the man threatened the cabin owner. Maxie heard the cabin owner calling for help. Knowing he needed to act Maxie managed to arrive without being noticed. He crept up and grabbed the assailant from behind. Bringing the assailant to the ground and disarming the intruder, ultimately saving the cabin owner's life.
Together Maxie and the cabin owner held the assailant down until police were able to reach the cabin. After the assailant was placed in custody Maxie found the knife that had been used to threaten the cabin owner, which was placed into evidence.
Upon discovering the assailant was a gang member and has a criminal record it was determined they probably would not have thought twice about using the weapon they had.
This act of bravery saved the cabin owner who otherwise could have been seriously injured or possibly even killed during this altercation. If not for Maxie acting in such a selfless way the situation may have played out much differently.
Cst. Earle received an Honorary Testimonial Certificate in regards to a call he responded to in April. Murray, the Bronze Medal recipient, had been following a vehicle during a time when road conditions were extremely poor. Murray lost sight of the truck he was following through the storm. Eventually he saw it floating in a slough along the side of the ditch, grabbing a tire iron he then jumped into the slough and swam towards the vehicle breaking the back window.
The vehicle was completely submerged by this time and Murray was unable to locate the driver. Murray began to feel numb and made his way back to the road where bystanders attempted to warm him.
Cst. Earle had responded to the scene at this time. Murray told Cst. Earle where the truck was, without waiting Cst. Earle began towards the submerged vehicle. As he made his way out to the truck the Fire Department had arrived and Cst. Earle quickly made it back to the road, into an ice rescue suit, and to the truck.
Cst. Earle and two firemen attached a tow rope to the truck. The vehicle began to be winched to the road and as soon as the back window Murray had broken was above the water level, Cst. Earle reached in to pull the driver from the vehicle.
The driver was tended to by EMS and taken to the hospital; but, he would pass away despite the efforts of everyone involved. Murray was also rushed to the hospital to be treated for hypothermia following his attempt to get the driver out. Cst. Earle would return to the scene in dry clothes and continue to help with the investigation as it was determined what exactly happened on that day.
Both men from the area were honoured for their bravery, for putting another's life before their own, and making an impact in the world.
