BOYD John

CITATION

New Zealand Bravery Medal

Special Honours List - 2 December 2013

On the night of 21 April 2011 Mr John BOYD was at home at an isolated rural address near Nelson, with his wife and stepdaughter.  Mr BOYD was bedridden with Multiple Sclerosis.  A family member arrived, pursued by his father who was suffering from paranoia and who intended to kill his son.  The father then arrived at the house with a 12 gauge Remington 812 shotgun, in a highly agitated and emotional state.  Mr BOYD’s wife and stepdaughter attempted to stop him, but he entered the house and shot his son in the chest at almost point-blank range.  Mr BOYD’s stepdaughter came into his bedroom and he told her to leave the house.  Mr BOYD rang emergency services and was confronted by the armed man who told him to put the phone down. He did so, but left the line open, hoping the operator would hear what was happening. The man shouted wildly at Mr BOYD and threatened to shoot himself as well as his son.  Disregarding his vulnerable position and his personal safety, Mr BOYD tried to keep the man focused on him, to give his wife and stepdaughter time to escape.

KNOWN AWARDS

New Zealand Bravery Medal

NOTES

Born:

Died:

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT