North America’s highest civilian honour for heroism is going to a Picton man who died while saving his nephew last summer.
James Badgley posthumously received the Carnegie Medal for Heroism after springing into action August 4, 2024 to save 11-year-old Colton Valleau from drowning at a Picton beach.
Badgley dove into heavy waves where the lake bottom was rocky in an attempt to save Valleau, and after briefly resurfacing from the water and appearing disoriented, submerged again and did not resurface after that.
The Carnegie Medal for Heroism recognizes men and women across Canada and the United States who risked serious injury or death, or were killed, saving or attempting to save others in acts of extraordinary heroism.
Badgley is one of 17 people to receive the honour in the fourth and final award announcement for the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission this year.
He is also the lone Canadian recognized in the latest round of recognitions.
More on the winners can be seen at this link.
