Four police officers awarded civilian gallantry medals
Four police officers have been honoured in the 2013 Civil Gallantry List, two of whom received posthumous awards.
Four police officers have been honoured in the 2013 Civil Gallantry List, two of whom received posthumous awards.
PCs Ian Dibell and Jonathan Henry received the honours in memory of their sacrifices while attempting to apprehend armed suspects.
In addition, PCs Colin Swan and Claire Murphy were also honoured for their bravery.
PC Dibell, Essex Police, died after being shot while attempting to disarm a gunman in Clacton on July 9, 2012.
The gunman was in a car that had come to a temporary stop, enabling PC Dibell to intercept the vehicle. When he leaned in through an open window and attempted to disarm the gunman, he was fatally shot when a bullet was discharged. He has been awarded the George Medal.
PC Henry, Bedfordshire Police, died while attempting to apprehend an armed suspect in Luton on June 11, 2007, after being deployed to a report of a stabbing in the town.
The suspect turned on PC Henry and backed him into a confined space. The officer was then stabbed as he backed away and fell to the ground. The suspect immediately jumped on top of PC Henry and stabbed him in the chest again. He was awarded the Queens Commendation for Bravery.
PC Claire Louise Murphy, Greater Manchester Police, was awarded the Queens Gallantry Medal for saving the life of a women who had fallen into a river trying to save her dog on June 9, 2012.
Jumping into the river, PC Murphy managed to hold the woman and held onto a protruding rock with the other hand and got a foothold. PC Murphy won the award for knowingly putting herself in an extremely dangerous, life-threatening situation and her actions probably saved the womans life.
PC Colin Swan, Metropolitan Police Service, received the Queens. Commendation for Bravery for evacuating women and children from a burning double-decker coach on the M3 motorway on July 31, 2009.
Noticing the rear nearside wheel was on fire, PC Swan risked his life to help some of the 66 passengers who were struggling to escape off the vehicle, even checking the upper deck for people after the whole of the coachs rear caught fire.
The chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Steve Williams, said: It is truly humbling to see so many of this countrys police officers nominated for such a prestigious award. These awards rightly recognise some incredible acts of courage, bravery and commitment.
Policing is a fine institution and we are extremely proud that we have so many selfless, dedicated and hardworking men and women within the service. The officers nominated act as an example and inspiration to us all and are testament to the dangers and challenges faced by officers every day. They are all a credit to the service and to the communities that they serve.