Edmonton awards ceremony recognizes 27 for bravery

Every time Adrian McNeillthinks about the day he came face-to-facewith a large brown bear, he chokes up.

"It brought a lot of memories back," McNeillsaid at an awards ceremonyFriday, tears welling in his eyes. "It just brings everything back, it was bad enough at the time."

McNeillreceived a bronze medal for bravery at a Royal Canadian Humane Association Bravery Awards ceremony held at Edmonton police headquarters. The ceremony recognized27 peoplefor their bravery in 10 incidents eight in Alberta, one in Saskatchewan and one in Australia.

'Your adrenalin's going'

McNeill was working at Suncor's Steepbank Mine, north of Fort McMurray on May 7, 2014.

He had just walked out of a trailer when he spotted a colleague walking across the work yard. She didn't know it, but a large cinnamon-coloured bear was approaching her fast.Before McNeill could yell out a warning, the bear attacked.

• Bear attack at Suncor site kills 1 worker

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Heran straight to the bear and the woman and started yelling. He grabbed an air horn but it didn't deter the bear, so he started throwing rocks and chunks at the animal, by now on top of the woman.

Other employees of Bird Construction turned up, Alexandre Brideau, Steve Lyons, LamaeSaunders and Gary Sultanianall helped McNeill with air horns, a fire extinguisher, and debris to try and stop the bear's vicious attack.

"Your adrenalin's going, you don't even think of your own safety, you just go and do it," said McNeill, whose four colleagues all received honorary testimonial certificates.

"I was about six feet away from [the bear],throwing metal posts, rocks, whatever we could find," said Lyons. "I remember the bear looking at me and I wasn't sure if it was going to pounce."

Undeterred, the bear continued its attack, andeventually dragged its victim into the bush where she died from her injuries.

Officer shot in the line of duty helped to safety

Ryan Colton was also recognized for bravery.

Colton received a bronze medalfor his actions on June 8, 2015, the day Edmonton Police Service Const. Daniel Woodall was killed in the line of duty.

Colton was at home when he was told by police to seek cover in his basement.

Woodall, and his partner, Sgt. Jason Harley,were executing an arrest warrant for NormanRaddatz, 42.

Raddatz opened fire, killing Woodall and hitting Harley in the lower back.

• Edmonton police shooting: Const. Dan Woodall killed while serving warrant

Harley managed to crawl to an attached garage on the property. Colton, who had left his basement after hearing gunshots, saw the officer in distress.

He grabbed a towel and went to help him, as the suspect continued to fire randomly through his front door.

Colton managed to drag the officer to safety and apply pressure to his wounds.

"That day never leaves, it's constantly in my mind, " Colton said after the ceremony.

"I'll probably never forget about that day, it was very traumatic, it's not something you just forget about."

Harley recovered from his injuries.