Serge Boulianne received a citation for bravery at the RCMP headquarters in Montreal. (JOCELYN MALETTE / QMI AGENCY)

Among the stoic soldiers and police officers who received bravery citations Thursday for saving lives during the earthquake in Haiti, Serge Boulianne stood out because of his tears.

The horrors he witnessed in the days following the quake on Jan. 12, 2010 started to flood back to the former police officer during the ornate ceremony at RCMP headquarters in Montreal.

The 50-year-old was red-eyed as he and 13 others received awards and posed for photos in the presence of friends, family and RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson.

Boulianne, like some of the other recipients, said he doesn't feel worthy of the honour.