News Release

Five Heros Recognized in HRM

(October 20, 2005) - Mayor Peter Kelly, Superintendent Gordon Barnett of the Halifax Detachment of the RCMP and members of Halifax Regional Council honoured five local men as heros during a ceremony today at Halifax City Hall.

Mayor Peter Kelly applauded the heroic actions of the Matthew Billard, Shawn Darby, David Major, Dean Metzler of Lower Sackville and Christopher Duggan of Prospect. “Once in a while ordinary people find themselves in extraordinary circumstances,” Kelly said. “These gentlemen showed exceptional citizenship and outstanding strength of character in their life-saving actions.

On October 20, 2004, Billard, Darby, Major and Metzler worked together to pull two men from the front seat of a burning car, after it had gone off the road and slammed into a lamp post on Sackville Drive.

On September 3, 2005, Christopher Duggan helped save two local children from drowning at Stoney Beach, near Lawrencetown. Duggan helped one child to safety before heading back into the water. Although the second child was also rescued, Duggan drowned in the attempt. His father, Michael Duggan accepted the posthumous recognition in his son’s honour.

“Although we hope circumstances like these never occur,” said Mayor Kelly. “It is comforting to know that there are real heros. HRM is very, very proud of these citizens.”

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For more information, please contact:

Mayor Peter Kelly
222-9999

Cathryn Steel
Mayor’s Office
490-4078