James D.A Badgley, a 35-year-old man from Picton who died after attempting to save his nephew from drowning, is set to posthumously receive the Carnegie Medal.
The medial is given to individuals from throughout the United States and Canada who risk themselves to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others.
Badgley had attempted to rescue his nephew, 11-year-old Colton B.J. Valleau, who was submerged by a wave while playing in water 20 feet from a Lake Ontario beach in Picton.
He entered the water and and dived into the waves in an area where the lake bottom was rocky.
After temporarily resurfacing where he stood, he appeared disoriented before he submerged again.
He did not resurface.
You can read the full blurb below:
While playing in the water 20 feet from a Lake Ontario beach in Picton, Ontario, on Aug. 4, 2024, 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 dived 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.
