Capital city stands out in province-wide recognition of heroic first responders
Ottawa is prominently represented among the recipients of Ontario’s 2024 Medals for Bravery, the province’s highest honour for police officers and firefighters who risk their own lives to protect others. This year, 15 police officers and nine firefighters from across Ontario were awarded the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery or the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery, recognizing heroic acts ranging from water rescues to armed confrontations.
Among the honourees are four Ottawa Police Service constables whose extraordinary courage protected civilians during volatile, life-threatening incidents. Their stories—rooted in quick thinking, decisive action, and personal risk—stand out even among the many acts of heroism recognized this year.
Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont, who presented the awards, emphasized the importance of acknowledging these exceptional contributions.
“The recipients of the Police and Firefighter Bravery Medals each put their own lives at risk when others were in danger,” she said. “Their tireless vigilance, and their remarkable selflessness and courage, make them an inspiration to their colleagues and to the community members they help to keep safe.”
Four Medals for Bravery went to Ottawa Officers for Exceptional Courage
Constables Kyle Lamothe & Samson Vo
Active shooter stopped in Ottawa’s Centretown
On November 6, 2023, Constables Kyle Lamothe and Samson Vo were patrolling Ottawa’s Centretown neighbourhood when they witnessed an eruption of gun violence. Four individuals were gathered nearby—two of them known to police as being linked to an emerging street gang—when one man suddenly produced a pistol and fired five rounds, striking another in the shoulder.
Lamothe and Vo acted instantly.
Cst. Lamothe leapt from the cruiser and ran directly toward the gunfire. Despite not knowing whether additional shooters were present, he identified the gunman, chased him down on foot, and arrested him while the firearm was still in play.
Cst. Vo simultaneously pursued the second suspect—without knowing which individual still posed an active threat—and arrested him at gunpoint. The scene was chaotic, unpredictable, and extremely dangerous, yet both officers continued their pursuit to prevent further violence.
Their rapid, fearless actions stopped an active shooter and protected residents in one of Ottawa’s busiest urban neighbourhoods.
Constables Paddye Magill & Patrick Wiseman
Armed suspect confronted after high-speed pursuit
On March 22, 2024, Constables Paddye Magill and Patrick Wiseman were patrolling Ottawa’s Carlington neighbourhood when a suspicious vehicle sped through the community, putting pedestrians at serious risk. The officers initiated a brief pursuit. Moments later, the vehicle jumped a curb, went airborne, and crashed.
The suspect fled on foot — armed with a firearm.
Cst. Wiseman ran after the suspect through a densely populated area, issuing commands to drop the weapon. When the suspect turned and pointed the gun at both officers, Wiseman discharged his firearm, neutralizing the threat and preventing potential harm to nearby residents.
Cst. Magill immediately provided life-saving first aid and secured the scene, then executed the arrest.
Both officers made split-second decisions while under direct threat, preventing what could have been a devastating civilian shooting in a residential area.
A Strong Year for Ottawa, and for Ontario’s First Responders
While Ottawa’s four recipients shine brightly, the Medals for Bravery also honour first responders across the province who:
- pulled unconscious drivers from submerged vehicles
- rescued residents from burning apartments
- swam into storm-driven waters to save lives
- confronted armed suspects during violent incidents
- dragged victims from burning cars moments before explosions
- subdued knife-wielding attackers
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner praised this year’s honourees, saying:
“Ontario’s firefighters and police officers never hesitate to put themselves in harm’s way. Those we are honouring today demonstrated great courage in risking their lives to save others. They went above and beyond the call of duty.”
About the Medals for Bravery
The Ontario Medal for Police Bravery (established in 1975) and the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery (established in 1976) are awarded to first responders who perform acts of exceptional heroism. Nominations come from police services and fire departments across Ontario and are endorsed by chiefs or commissioners before being evaluated by an independent panel.
Ottawa’s Officers Represent the Best of Policing
With four Ottawa officers receiving Medals for Bravery this year, the capital city played a significant role in this provincial recognition. The courageous actions of Lamothe, Vo, Magill, and Wiseman reveal the reality of police work in Ottawa: unpredictable danger, impossible decisions, and unwavering commitment to public safety.
Their stories remind us that bravery is not theoretical — it is lived, often in fractions of a second, by the people who put themselves between danger and the rest of us.
