An act of bravery on Canada Day

On the morning of July 1st, RCMP Constables (Cst.) Steve Hardy and Marc Fournier reported for security duties for the Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa. Little did they know, they were going to perform an outstanding act of bravery a few hours later…  

That day, Cst. Hardy had been assigned to do police bicycle patrols with the Quick Response Team, although his everyday duties are with the Prime Minister’s Protective Detail. Cst. Fournier normally works at the Cornwall Detachment, but was working with the marine unit that day. Cst. Hardy was on route to take his break when he heard a call for assistance from the nearby marine unit on his radio, as they were dealing with an aggressive and suicidal man standing by the Ottawa River near the Rideau Canal locks. As he was arriving at the scene, the man jumped in the water and began experiencing serious distress as he could not swim.  Without any hesitation and dressed in full uniform gear, Cst. Hardy and Cst. Fournier jumped in the water to attend to the combative man. With the assistance of their colleague Cst. Nick Zouroudis, he man was safely brought back on shore and taken to hospital to receive care and treatment.

Thanks to their quick thinking and swift intervention, a life was saved that day. Cst. Hardy and Cst. Fournier went above and beyond the call of duty by putting themselves in harm’s way to help someone in distress. This surely is a Canada Day they will not forget anytime soon!