Still deeply marked by what they saw a year and a half after the tragedy, 12 heroes who rescued the victims of Carl Girouard’s murderous madness in Old Quebec on Halloween 2020 were honored Monday for their bravery.
These 12 people were part of the group of 15 citizens and seven police officers from the Capitale-Nationale, Chaudière-Appalaches and Gaspésie regions, whose acts of courage were highlighted at the École nationale de police du Québec, in Nicolet, during of the annual police recognition ceremony.
This ceremony coincides when the author of the disastrous saber attack of October 31, 2020 is waiting to know the outcome of his trial. The jury must determine whether Carl Girouard was sane or not at the time of the events.
Four women and eight men have therefore received a citation of honor for having come, at their own risk, to the rescue of people in danger after having crossed the path of the killer.
Close to Girouard
Among them was the emergency physician Marie-France Rioux, who went to Suzanne Clermont’s bedside on rue des Remparts, not without arming herself with a baseball bat.
She had been alerted by her husband Bradley Purcell, also quoted, who was then in panic and in tears.
“I ran towards the victim while my spouse called for help and took care of the victim’s spouse. At that time, she was still alive, but in very bad shape, ”explained Ms. Rioux the day after the tragedy.
She had performed heart massage on Ms. Clermont until the ambulance arrived.
Ms. Rioux and Mr. Purcell then believed that the victim had been hit by a car.
“I saw the lady on the ground and the guy across the street. I yelled at him to go get the car that had just passed. I screamed loudly, the whole Old Port must have heard me, ”said Mr. Purcell, who was in fact unknowingly addressing the killer, about 25 feet from him.
4 guardian angels
Also in the aftermath of the attack Marie-Hélène Brown had launched a vibrant testimony on social networks which sums up the heroism of those honored.
“Our precious daughter Andréanne Careau, you have returned from your walk in Old Quebec. Safe and sound, but hands, coat, boots, pants and scarf reddened with blood because you were there, with your friend, a few seconds after the passage of this disturbed individual, to rescue a couple of French people seriously injured.”
“With your friend Josélito (Corneli), you heard people calling for help and you came running. You didn’t question your own safety. In the Frontenac staircase, you took the controls, called for help, made tourniquets with what you had on hand. You are so brave, I don’t want to think about what could have happened to you.”
“Few people know how discreet and humble you are despite your cheerful exuberance. Today I want you to accept thanks and congratulations, what you have done is exceptional. Two people are still alive…”.
Mrs. Brown added the names of Chloé (Déry-Drolet) and Mathieu (Cloutier), a young couple who joined her daughter and her friend to save the injured.
Ms. Déry-Drolet and Careau as well as Mrs. Corneli and Cloutier are among those who received a citation on Monday.
Too hard
Still deeply upset by the tragic events, none of the nine people who were on hand Monday to receive their honors wanted to speak to the Journal. They said it was still too difficult for them to talk about that sad evening.
“You, citizens, who are not police officers and who have courageously rescued people often at the risk of your safety and even your life, a big bravo”, launched at the end of the ceremony the Minister of Public Security , Geneviève Guilbault, who presented the plaques and medals.
“The coolness and remarkable courage of these women and these witnesses of this dark event deserve to be underlined”, for her part indicated Andrée Doré, of the National Police Academy.