A real life hero
Charlottetown police officer honoured for actions in fire two years ago that saved a woman’s life
A Charlottetown police office said he didn’t hesitate for a second before rushing into a burning building two years ago. Const. Mike McGee received national recognition this week for his efforts at a fire in May 2015 at the corner of Prince and Grafton streets, where he helped save one of the residents of the building.
McGee was presented with the Governor General’s medal for bravery at a ceremony in Moncton on Monday. More than 50 Canadians were recognized for their excellence, courage and or exceptional dedication to service.
“You don’t think about it at the time that this is for real. You just go and you do it. You don’t have time to think,’’ McGee said. “You wouldn’t believe it unless you’re in in a situation how quick stuff happens.’’ The 33-year-old St. Mary’s Road native, who has been a full-time cop with the force for the past five years, was typing up some reports at the station with 10 minutes left to go in his 12-hour shift when the call came in — structure fire with people inside.
“Me and (Const.) Pat Hogan jumped in the same car. We saw black smoke billowing out of the place. We ran up and people were saying there are still people up there.’’
He knew a lot of people lived in the building — 11 as it turned out — but he didn’t know how many were inside at the moment.
McGee and Hogan headed up to the second floor where there was only a small amount
of smoke. Hogan busted down a door to get a man out of his apartment while McGee made his way to the third floor where he encountered thick, black smoke and a person passed out.
“You could just see this hand in the entry of the doorway. I just took a deep breath and went (in). I know just from being around firefighters you only get one or two breaths of that black stuff and you’re done; you’re out. It’s bad stuff.’’ He hauled the woman to the
top of the stairs but had to go back down to catch his breath. Hogan and Sgt. Shane Carr rushed up to the third floor, got the woman to the second floor and McGee helped get her out of the building. McGee’s eyes opened wide when asked what it felt like to hear he was getting a national award.
“I was sort of like ‘Wow’. I had to look it up to see exactly what it was. I didn’t know anything about it.’’
However, he said what most impressed him were the people he encountered at the awards ceremony.
It’s his job to run towards danger.
Others simply make the choice.
“Maybe it was just someone who came across someone at the right moment and they just did what they had to do,’’ McGee said. “I really feel proud that it’s a Canadian thing and that ordinary people can get it.’’