Manitoba Mounties, civilians receive bravery awards

The RCMP honoured three of its members in Manitoba, along with two civilians, for their acts of bravery.

Two RCMP officers, a public service employee and two civilians received the Commanding Officer's Commendation for Bravery ata ceremony Friday at the Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site.

Those honoured include Cpl. Colby Argue and Const. Andre Leclerc, who rescued an unconscious man from a burning vehicle in The Pas, Man., in January 2010.

The injured man was found in the driver's seat, but the doors were locked, so the officers broke a window and pulled him before the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames.

Clerk honoured for rescuing boys

The RCMP also recognized Melody Harper, a clerk at the RCMP office on the Garden Hill First Nation,forsaving two young boys from drowning in June 2012.

Harper was off-duty and driving in the community with her daughter, Kalvina, when they saw the two boys playing near the water's edge.

Upon seeing both boys fall into the water, Harper jumped in, swam to the children, pulled them to shore and passed them to her daughter.

"I didn't have time, or I didn't even think about myself. I thought about those two," Harper told CBC News days after the rescue.

One boy, who was four years old at the time, became conscious and alert quickly after being pulled from the water.

Harper performed CPR on the second boy, who was three years old, because he was not breathing.

Both children have since recovered from the incident.

Kalvina Harper received the Commanding Officer's Certificate of Appreciation for her role in the rescue.

Pair pulled man from house fire

The civilian recipients of the RCMP's bravery award were Colin and Mike Owens, two night watchmen on the Pauingassi First Nation who rescued a man from a burning house.

The pair were patrolling the First Nation on the night of Nov. 30, 2011, when they saw smoke coming out of the home.

They went inside and found a man sleeping on a bed, so they dragged him to safety before flames destroyed the house.

As part of Friday's award ceremony, the RCMP recognized members who have served with the force for 20, 25 and 30 years, as well as two members for their continuing commitment to service in their community.

As well, three municipal police chiefs received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal: Rick Hiebert of the Winkler Police Service, Brad Neduzak of the Morden Police Service and Ian Grant of the Brandon Police Service.