THE 2023 BRAVERY AWARDS REGION 5
Officer made heroic attempts to save a suspected arsonist’s life, and members of the public, despite suffering life-changing injuries
The winner of the National Police Bravery Awards for Region 5 is an officer from Bedfordshire Police. The Detective Sergeant (DS), who wishes to remain anonymous, was leading a team of four officers to an address on the top floor of a block of flats to arrest an individual suspected of committing three arson attacks over the previous 24 hours. His team managed to engage with the suspect through the flat’s front door without it being opened. Within minutes of the engagement, it
became clear to the officers on the scene that a fire had been lit inside the flat as smoke began to emerge through the letterbox. Immediately the DS instructed a
colleague to force the door open, at which point he ran into the flat only to be met by a wall of burning cardboard boxes. Pausing to attempt to extinguish the burning boxes, the suspect took flight and retreated further into his flat before falling to his death from the window. By now the fire had grown in intensity and showed little sign of slowing. The speed at which the flames were spreading pointed to an accelerant being used. The flames were floor to ceiling and blocked
his only route out of the flat. As he struggled to escape the fire, the DS was engulfed in flames. He emerged through the smoke to the horror of his colleagues. Despite the significant injuries he had
sustained, and the pain he was in, he ran from door-to-door, banging on the doors and raising an alarm for all residents of the block, undoubtedly saving many lives by doing so. He was taken to Stoke Mandeville Burns Unit where he became critically ill and was placed into a medically induced coma. His treatment has been ongoing ever since including numerous operations and skin grafts. “It is just so humbling. I accept this award on behalf of the officers who came with me that night at my behest who are equally deserving of it, and my lovely family who have been so supportive, along with the PFEW and the wider police family,” said the DS after receiving the award. Chair of Bedfordshire Police Federation,
Stephen Bozward, commented: “His actions demonstrate that he showed tremendous courage and leadership, as he has done throughout his career. Despite his serious and life-threatening injuries, he
WINNER BEDFORDSHIRE
continued putting the safety of the public and his colleagues before himself. There is no doubt his heroic selfless actions saved further loss of life that day.” Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst of Bedfordshire Police said: “He is the consummate professional who never asked others to do what he was not prepared to. Hence why he was there leading his team on that morning and was the first to rush into a burning flat in a brave attempt to save the life of another. Despite his life-threatening injuries, he remained positive and an ambassador for Bedfordshire Police.”
“It is just so humbling. I accept this award on behalf of the officers who came with me that night at my behest who are equally deserving of it, and my lovely family who have been so supportive, along with the PFEW and the wider police family.”
17 | POLICE | AUGUST | 2023
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
