A bravery medal handed to an Akwesasne police officer by Canada's Governor General, is not sitting well with the family who lost loved ones in a police chase the officer was involved in.
Cst. Mike Biron and a border services officer were awarded the medals of bravery for their involvement in the very same 2008 crash causing the upset. While the government is viewing their attempt to pull the victims from the fiery vehicles as an act of courage, the family members allege Cst. Biron's involvement helped cause it in the first place.
"This is a tragedy in so many ways. It almost minimizes the loss of my parents by awarding this officer with a medal for bravery. I don't understand how the government arrives at this. It raises so many questions," Doug Kassian told CTV Ottawa Monday.
Kassian lost his mother and father when the high speed chase resulted in a speeding van crashing into his parent's car.
Cst. Biron was chasing the van at speeds reaching 160 km/hr because it was suspected of smuggling contraband cigarettes. The van crashed into the New York couple's car. Kassian's parents and the driver of the van all died November 14th, 2008 on Cornwall Island.
Cst. Biron was charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death. All charges were dismissed in 2010.
The Governor General's office says extensive research is done on all the recipients.
Officials from the office say it was concluded Cst. Biron put his life at risk to try and save another.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr
