Firearms officer given George Medal for gunman pursuit
An officer who took on a dangerous gunman alone has been honoured with the second highest medal for gallantry.
An officer who took on a dangerous gunman alone has been honoured with the second highest medal for gallantry.
Martin Finney, a firearms officer with the National Crime Agency (NCA), has received the George Medal after risking his life to stop Sedat Merics rampage.
Mr Finney was returning to his car after a surveillance operation in Tottenham in May 2014 when Meric opened fire into a pool hall as part of a gang-related feud.
The officer previously referred to as NC32 identified himself and drew his gun before ordering Meric to drop his weapon.
Meric ran at Mr Finney and fired seven shots. With no back-up or body armour, Mr Finney returned fire and, using parked vehicles as cover, chased Meric into a residential street.
He did not give up the pursuit until Meric had run out of bullets and surrendered.
Mr Finney who previously served with the army and the police then detained Meric until NCA colleagues arrived to arrest him.
Meric was eventually jailed for 15 years.
Mr Finney said: I feel incredibly honoured to receive this award. To be associated with previous recipients of the George Medal is truly humbling.
Accepting this award I would like to thank members of the armed operations unit who on the night of the incident also carried out acts of bravery and showed great professionalism.
He added: I have colleagues who have received awards, some posthumous, and to be honest I really dont feel worthy to be in the same bracket as them.
NCA Director General Lynne Owens praised Mr Finney for his selflessness.
Martin displayed such bravery in the face of extreme danger and he thoroughly deserves this prestigious award.
He protected the public, confronting a gunman who was firing his loaded weapon repeatedly.
It was a truly heroic act and we are all so proud of him.