John Boyarski

John Barry Boyarski of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is a retired bus driver and the recipient of multiple awards acknowledging his bravery.

Act of bravery
On August 8, 1985, while driving a bus in Vancouver for BC Transit, Boyarski stopped his vehicle to assist a 15 year old girl who was being dragged into a car by an older man. Initially unaware that the assailant was armed, Boyarski stepped out of his vehicle and approached the assailant while the young girl escaped into the bus. Three gunshots were fired at Boyarski from a semi-automatic pistol, however none of the shots hit him. The assailant fled in his car and was captured shortly after by police.

The victim had sustained two gunshot wounds to the arm prior to Boyarski's arrival, and was hospitalized following the incident.

Recognition
In October 1986, Boyarski was awarded a Carnegie Medal for heroism from the Carnegie Hero Fund. On August 19, 1989, he was awarded a Canadian Medal of Bravery by Governor General Jeanne Sauvé.