The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, February 24, 2012 · 14 Officer honoured today An Oakville man's heroic distance from the blaze. actions during a deadly house fire "I could tell she was burned in 2006 have earned him a pretty bad. She was still Decoration for Bravery, which he breathing, which I was kind of will receive from Canada's amazed at, but she wasn't Governor General today. responsive," he said. In August 2006, Const. Patrick Grabbing the victim by her Duerden, 27, of the Toronto legs, Duerden retraced his Police Service was working an steps and pulled her out to the off-duty paid assignment in a back porch where she was Toronto neighbourhood when a treated by fire services personradio call came in reporting a Patrick Duerden nel who arrived some 30 secnearby house fire and an elderly onds later. woman who was trapped. Blackwood and Duerden The fire had started in the one-storey home's were taken to hospital, but despite Duerden's bedroom and quickly filled it with heavy smoke. heroic efforts, Blackwood died later that day. "I ran around the corner because it was only Duerden was treated for smoke inhalation. about a half block away, and when I got to the The federal government announced Tuesday, house there was a friend of the victim who Duerden would be among 46 people recognized brought me to the back of the house," said by Gov. Gen. David Johnston at a special ceremoDuerden in a previous interview. "I could see ny in Ottawa's Rideau Hall today. smoke inside the house." All those at this ceremony are being recogOn street work for only nine months, Duerden nized for risking their lives to protect or save the did not hesitate to go into the house to find the lives of others. woman. On his first attempt, the fire's intensity This will not be the first time Duerden is and thick black smoke forced him to retreat. awarded for what he did in 2006. "I ended up getting a big mouthful of smoke, In September of 2007, he received the so I went back outside grabbed a breath of fresh Carnegie medal of heroism. air and then crawled inside," he said. "It was one of those situations where, if it was About 20 feet from the door, Duerden came a relative of mine or a friend of mine, I would upon homeowner Catherine Blackwood, 70, want someone to do all that they thought they unconscious on the living room floor a short could do to help them." Follow Oakville Beaver staff on Twitter @OakvilleBeaver or @NewsHooked @DavidLea6 @DominikKurek @BeaverSports @Halton_Photog Oiled Bronze ­ A warm alternative to stainless steel with radiant auburn hues and rich metallic undertones. JENN-AIR DISHWASHERS ® The performance is stunning, the silence is golden! Quiet as a whisper, with amazing cleaning power plus a host of features designed to enhance the pleasures of entertaining. Jenn-Air dishwashers are equipped with a variable speed motor that helps reduce noise and energy use. Come and see our knowledgeable staff for more information WI NS TON CHUR CHI L L B LVD. (905) 829-9909 DUNDAS ST W HAMP S HI R E GATE HWY #403 2525 Hampshire Gate Oakville/Mississauga x one year to a great career Your degree or diploma is a great foundation -- now get the job-specific skills employers are looking for in as little as eight months. Sheridan offers 25 post-graduate programs that will prepare you for a career in business, management, communications, or digital media. Get the rewarding job you want & shine brighter. REGISTER ONLINE TO ATTEND OUR CHOOSE 1 OF 2 NEW CA RS post-graduate OPEN HOUSE Register at DrivenToQuit.ca by February 29, 2012. Free support to help you become a successful quitter is available through the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers' Helpline at 1 877 513-5333 and SmokersHelpline.ca. PRESENTED BY: FOLLOW US ON: Thursday, March 1 | 6-8 pm You could WIN a $1000 Tuition Credit! Smokers' Helpline #D2Q The Driven to Quit Challenge is presented in collaboration with your local public health department. All prizes made possible through the generous support of McNeil Consumer Healthcare.*No purchase necessary. Registration deadline: Feb 29/12. Open to residents of Ontario (19+ as of Mar 1/12) who meet certain tobacco use restrictions. Registration, full rules, complete eligibility requirements and prize descriptions at: www.driventoquit.ca. One grand prize (ARV: $32,000; Odds: depend on number of eligible entries); two secondary prizes (ARV: $5,000 each payable in the form of travel vouchers; Odds: depend on number of eligible entries); seven regional prizes (ARV: $2,000 each; Odds: depend on number of eligible entries per region); ten buddy prizes (ARV: $200 each); and one survey prize (ARV: $250; Odds: depend on number of eligible entries). Skill-testing question required. Regions are determined by the seven Ontario provincial tobacco control area network regions, as defined by the Government of Ontario.The buddy associated with each eligible prize winner will be eligible to win a buddy prize. All cash awards are payable by cheque. Prizes may not be exactly as shown. postgrad.sheridancollege.ca