BRAVERY AWARDS
DERBYSHIRE
The emergency operation kicked in with officers in the potential flood area evacuating 1,000 people. At the dam, it was critical that sandbagging was completed to try to prevent the structure from collapsing.
PC Marshall volunteered to work on the spillway and secured himself with a rope while his colleagues passed sandbags down. For around two hours, officers and mountain rescue worked to place bags on the wall and buy enough time to temporarily secure the reservoir.
Derbyshire Police Federation Chair Tony Wetton said: “Were the dam to have failed it is highly unlikely any of those involved in the sandbagging operation would have survived. All the officers present elected that they
could not stand by and risk the death of around 2,000 people, including colleagues, without doing something.”
“There were numerous officers involved in the incident and I would like to acknowledge their bravery and outstanding efforts too, but PC Marshall went over and above the call of duty while thankfully supported by his colleagues.”
The following morning an RAF Chinook helicopter was deployed and, over the next five days, 530 tonnes of aggregate were used to reinforce the dam wall. After a tense seven days, the dam wall was repaired, and the water pumped out. PC Marshall, who has been an officer for 26 years, is to receive a Chief Constable’s commendation.
DEVON AND CORNWALL
PC Christopher James courageously dived into the sea to rescue two drowning men. He was the first on the scene and spotted a man face down in the water off Penzance promenade. Another man was also in the sea and struggling, having apparently dived in to try to attempt a rescue of his own. Putting himself at risk, PC James cast off his uniform and ploughed through the waves. He then went about resuscitating the unconscious man. Despite his incredible efforts, the man sadly died after being airlifted to hospital.
Devon and Cornwall Police Federation Chair Andrew Berry said PC James had undoubtedly saved the other man’s life through his heroic and selfless actions.
DORSET
PC Roz Fricker was badly injured as she tackled a hammer-wielding thug. Still a student officer at the time, she responded to a serious disturbance in a block of flats. She heard a man shouting aggressively and kicking front doors. He began to march towards her, swearing and behaving in a threatening way. PC Fricker was struck in the shoulder by the hammer, but incredibly managed to deploy her PAVA spray and followed the offender, updating colleagues until he was located. Once arrested, he was found to be carrying a metal mallet, seven knives and a blade stashed in a tennis ball. Dorset Police Federation Chair Anna Harvey said PC Fricker had shown extraordinary courage and professionalism.
PC Roz Fricker
OCTOBER 2020 | POLICE | 20
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