12 heroes who saved the victims of Carl Girouard’s murderous madness in Old Quebec on Halloween 2020 are still scarred by what they saw a year and a half after the tragedy. They were honored for their courage on Monday.
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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 brave actions were highlighted at the École national de Police du Québec in Nicolet during the police recognition ceremony.
This ceremony coincides as the author of the cataclysmic saber attack of October 31, 2020 awaits the outcome of his trial. The jury must determine whether or not Carl Girouard was sane at the time of the events.
Four women and eight men have therefore received a certificate of honor for having come at their own risk to save people in danger after crossing the killer’s path.
Near Girouard
Among them was emergency doctor Marie-France Rioux, who, armed with a baseball bat, went to Suzanne Clermont’s bed on rue des Remparts.
She was alerted by her husband, Bradley Purcell, who was also quoted, who then panicked and burst into tears.
“I ran toward the victim while my spouse called for help and attended to the victim’s spouse. She was alive at the time, but in very poor condition,” Ms Rioux said the day after the tragedy.
She had given Mrs. Clermont a cardiac massage before the ambulance arrived.
Ms Rioux and Mr Purcell then believed 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 get the car that just drove by. I screamed out loud, the whole old port must have heard me,” said Mr Purcell, who actually unknowingly turned to the killer about 25 feet from him.
4 guardian angels
Even after the attack, Marie-Hélène Brown published a lively testimony on social networks that sums up the heroism of the honorees.
“Our precious daughter Andréanne Careau, you have returned from your walk in Old Quebec. Unharmed, but hands, coat, boots, trousers and scarf covered in blood because you and your friend were there a few seconds after this distraught person passed to rescue some seriously injured French people.”
“With your friend Josélito (Corneli) you heard the cries for help and ran. You didn’t question your own safety. On the Frontenac Staircase, you took control, called for help, tourniquetted with what you had on hand. You’re so brave, I don’t even want to think about what could have happened to you.”
“Few people know how discreet and unassuming you are despite your cheerful exuberance. Today I want you to accept my thanks and congratulations, what you have done is extraordinary. 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 friend to rescue the injured.
Ms Déry-Drolet and Careau and Ms Corneli and Cloutier are among those who received a summons on Monday.
Too heavy
Still deeply devastated by the tragic events, none of the nine people who were present to accept their awards Monday 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 bravely saved people, often at risk of your safety and even your life, a big bravo,” launched the Minister of Public Security, Geneviève Guilbault, at the end of the ceremony, who presented the plaques and medals
“The coolness and the remarkable courage of these women and these witnesses to this dark event deserve to be underlined,” said Andrée Doré of the National Police Academy.
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