Picton man posthumously honoured for heroism

The late James D.A. Badgley, of Picton, has been recognized as one of 17 people in North America to  receive the Carnegie Medal for Heroism, North America’s highest honour for civilian heroism. He is the only Canadian to be recognized in this quarter’s awards.

The medal is given throughout the U.S. and Canada to those who risked serious injury or death, or were killed, saving or attempting to save others in acts of extraordinary heroism.

Badgley, 35, died attempting to rescue his nephew from drowning on Aug. 4, 2024.

While playing in the water 20 feet from shore at Point Petre, 11-year-old Colton B.J. Valleau slipped on a rock and fell into the water. He was submerged by a wave and then was pulled farther from shore.

His uncle, pipe laborer James D.A. Badgley, 35, of Picton, was on the nearby beach with other family members when he saw Colton struggling in the water. Colton’s mother was also on the beach and entered the water along with other members of their party.

Despite knowing the lake could have rough conditions and that he was not a strong swimmer, Badgley entered the water and dove into the waves in an area where the lake bottom was rocky. He temporarily resurfaced where he stood and appeared disoriented before he submerged again.

He did not resurface.

Colton’s mother swam out to her son and managed to reach him. She put him on her back and towed him toward shore. They were pushed to the shore by the current and waves where they eventually reached shallow water where a friend aided them back to the beach. Colton was shaken but not injured.

A search was initiated for Badgley, but the lake’s rough conditions and growing darkness impeded the efforts. His body resurfaced and was pushed to shore about six hours later. Badgley had drowned and sustained facial injuries which are believed to have been caused by striking rocks at the bottom of the lake.

This was not Badgley’s first time being honoured for heroism. He received a scroll of valour from the Belleville Police Service and a decoration for bravery from the Governor General of Canada both recognizing his efforts to save a man from a burning house in Belleville in 2015.