A celebrated County native, James Badgely, 35, was swimming with his family off Point Petre August 4 when he spotted his young nephew caught in a vicious undertow, and being pulled into the great lake. Mr. Badgley immediately swam out and led his nephew closer to shore, where he could escape the force.

But Mr. Badgely himself was then suddenly pulled underwater. 

He did not resurface.

Prince Edward OPP alongside Hastings Quinte Paramedic Service and Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue were almost immediately on the scene. Additional assistance came from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary.

A search was conducted with nearly 100 volunteers combing the shoreline.

Some time around 2 a.m. Monday, one of the volunteers spotted Mr. Badgley’s body in shallow water near the shore.

Medal for Bravery

Sunday evening was not the first time Mr. Badgley spotted danger and did not hesitate to act. On October 2, 2015, he pulled a man to safety from a burning house. A damaged gas line had exploded in Belleville’s West Hill neighbourhood. 

He was honoured with a Medal for Bravery by the Governor General of Canada.

“James was special inside and out. A rare kind of human being, the kind we need more of in this world.”

—Brittany Hicks

“Mr. Badgley ran inside, found the victim and helped him to safety,” said then Governor General Julie Payette in her citation. “Despite the flames and heavy smoke, Mr. Badgley re-entered the house a second time to ensure it was empty before finally retreating from the blaze.”

Friends in Every Corner

Once news of his passing and the circumstances under which it happened became public on social media, Mr. Badgely was remembered as a hero and “good County boy,” ready to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. Pictures of snowmobiling, good times enjoying the outdoors with family and friends and living life to its fullest flooded local Facebook groups. “Bag,” as he was known to hundreds of people in the community, could say he had friends in every corner.

“James was special inside and out,” said friend Brittany Hicks. “A rare kind of human being, the kind we need more of in this world.”

In his obituary, devastated family members note James Badgley “was larger than life” and that he will be “sadly missed by his entire family and many friends.”

James rested at Rushnell Funeral Homes – Picton Chapel, 33 Main Street. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be announced.