Four men awarded Medal of Bravery for helping save lives

CITYnewshalifax / By Chris Halef

The province has awarded four Nova Scotians with the 2025 Medal of Bravery for their parts in helping save multiple people’s lives.

According to the province, the medal is awarded to Nova Scotians who have risked their lives protecting the lives or property of others, beyond what is expected of them. One of the men was helping a Lower Sackville family as their house went up in flames, and the others went out in a blizzard to help save a snowmobiler.

The government said Premier Tim Houston awarded the medal to:

• Gerrid Hunt, Lower Sackville
• Richard MacPhee, Boularderie, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
• Ryan O’Shea, Sydney
• Scott Rafuse, Sydney

“The Nova Scotia Medal of Bravery recognizes extraordinary courage and heroism and that is what our four honourees have demonstrated,” said Premier Houston. “On behalf of all Nova Scotians, I am honoured to recognize and thank them.”

On Jan. 11, 2025 Hunt was told by his daughter that their neighbour’s home was on fire. When he realized that a man and three children were still inside, Hunt went into the “smoke-filled” house on his hands and knees. He felt around until he found an unconscious man whom he was able to drag to safety.

It was later reported that Tanya and Jermaine, and their 2-year-old child were the only to survive the blaze.

Alauna, 9, and Cayson, 5, “fought with unimaginable strength,” a GoFundMe page set up for the family reads.

Alauna, 9, and Cayson, 5, can be seen in this combined image. (GoFundMe by Alyssa Porter)

The 6-year-old, Chloe, who died, was visiting the family at the time.

The Hunt family also lost their home in the blaze.

On Feb. 14, 2025, a winter storm was impacting the province. MacPhee, O’Shea and Rafuse learned that two fellow snowmobilers had not returned from a trip in the Cape Breton Highlands.

“With conditions deteriorating and knowing the trails, they decided to search that evening,” the province’s press release reads.

The group found one of the men after a difficult search and brought him back to safety. They later joined the major search operation and helped find the other man as well, according to the province.

Since 2008, 59 Nova Scotians have received the award.