Posthumous award for “Dibs”, the bravest of officers

The family of Police Constable Ian Dibell received the national Police Bravery Award 2013, in honour of the officer who died tackling a gunman while off duty last year.

At a glittering award ceremony attended by senior politicians including the Prime Minister, senior officers and other dignitaries, the heroic actions of 64 officers from 37 forces across England and Wales were celebrated.

After regional winners were announced, the Home Secretary Theresa May presented the overall award to PC Dibell’s brothers.

PC Dibell, known to colleagues as Dibs, died close to his home in Clacton-on-Sea after being shot in the street by Peter Reeve on the afternoon of July 7, 2012.

Reeve confronted a neighbour and his partner firing several shots as they fled. He was seen reloading his pistol and getting into a car to pursue them. A witness then saw Reeve firing through the windshield before stopping close to PC Dibell’s home.

PC Dibell ran into his house to retrieve his warrant card and then approached Reeve. He lunged through the open driver’s side window and tried to wrestle the gun from Reeve. However, PC Dibell was shot in the chest and died at the scene.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Every day a police officer goes to work they’re putting their lives on the line. Tragically for Ian and his family that’s what happened.

“He was not even on duty but he went towards danger to protect others and that says so much about policing in this country.”

His two brothers collected the award on his behalf. Essex Police Inspector Paul Dibell said: “I’m humbled and it’s a privilege to be here to celebrate Ian’s life and be here for his colleagues as well who do a fantastic job.”

Neil Dibell, who is a member of police staff at Essex Police, added: “What he did was just Ian all over. He was always there for other people and putting other people before himself. He would’ve loved this if he was here now. He was always up for a show and having a good time.”

Mrs May added: “Tonight we’re celebrating the very best of British policing. The people we’ve been celebrating tonight are the very finest of the best police officers in world. Every time a police officer goes out to work they don’t know what lies around the corner. When everyone else’s instinct is to run away from danger they run towards it.

“The police do a fantastic job for us. We really do have the best police officers in the world and tonight we’ve heard some wonderful stories.”

Prime Minister David Cameron presented the South East regional award to Ian Dibell`s colleagues.

Winners from each of the eight regions were also selected;

North West: Police Constables Nathan Jackman and Peter Stevens from Merseyside Police for their courage in tackling a knifeman and saving a victim’s life.

North East Police Constable Sara Widdrington from North Yorkshire Police, who without thought for her own safety fearlessly tackled a gunman in a busy supermarket while off-duty.

Midlands Police Constables Stephen Fletcher and Rory Stuart-Knill from West Midlands Police who underwent a vicious and sustained attack by a masked petrol bomb gang.

Eastern Police Constable Martin Bentley from Norfolk Constabulary who, despite being stabbed, continued to pursue a violent, armed offender.

South East (and overall winner), was Police Constable Ian Dibell (Posthumous) from Essex Police.

Wales Police Constable Alun Morgan from Dyfed Powys Police who plunged into freezing quarry waters to rescue a drowning boy.

South West Police Constable Nicholas French from Gloucestershire Constabulary for heroically tackling a man armed with a knife and a lawn edger.

London Police Constables Stephen Barker, Thomas Harding, Shumal Haque, Alastair Hinchliff and Andrew Robb for their persistence and heroism confronting a man armed with a knife in a butcher’s shop, despite suffering horrific, life threatening injuries.

The Police Bravery Awards are