Heroic cop who saved toddler receives recognition

6 August 2024

A Dyfed Powys Police Federation member who saved a two-year-old child’s life while off-duty has shared her delight at earning a number of awards and nominations for her actions earlier this year.

PC Zoë Williams was walking along Pembrokeshire’s Solva Beach in January when she was alerted to screams for help from Francesca (Fran) Jackson, who was extremely distressed after her daughter, Elliott, suddenly fell unconscious.

Taking complete control of the situation, Zoë performed CPR on Elliott for 25 minutes, managing to improve the toddler’s condition so she was in and out of consciousness by the time paramedics arrived.

Elliott was rushed to Cardiff Hospital where she made a full recovery from a confirmed cardiac arrest. Doctors told Fran and Elliott’s father, Mike, that due to both her young age and the remoteness of the incident, she would have been looking at only a five per cent survival rate without Zoë’s resuscitation attempts.

Recognition

Now, the quick-thinking cop has received threefold recognition – commendations from each of Dyfed Powys Police’s Chief Constable and High Sheriff, as well as a nomination for the British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP) awards.

Zoë said: “I am really chuffed with all three of these acknowledgements. It’s very nice to be recognised, and I appreciate the fuss that has been made over me.

“The most important thing, still, is that Elliott is alive and happy and healthy – that’s all that will ever matter for me.”

PC Zoë Williams, with Elliott's parents Mike and Fran.

Zoë was joined at the High Sheriff’s Commendations ceremony on 16 March by Fran, who she is now able to call a close friend after the incident, Mike, and Fran’s parents, Annette and John. This was followed by the Chief Constable’s Commendations on 3 May.

The constable also attended the BAWP awards ceremony with Dyfed Powys Police colleagues at Carden Park, Cheshire, on 3 and 4 June, where - despite missing out on first place - had the honour of being included in the ‘Excellence in Performance’ category.

Her most prized possession, however, has come in the form of a present she received from Elliott and her family for her 30th birthday in July. Zoë was gifted ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’ by Charlie Mackesy – Elliott’s favourite bedtime story – with a heartfelt message written for her on the inside cover.

Defibrillator

“The message thanked me for what I had done and said the words in the book had taken on new meaning for Fran, Mike and Elliott since what happened – the story is all about kindness and friendship,” she added.

“It was an absolutely beautiful gift, and I’ll treasure it forever.”

Zoë spoke further about her continuing relationship with the family and her joy at seeing Elliott grow up, who has been fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to correct any dangerously abnormal heart rhythms in the future.

“It’s difficult to put her [Elliott] into words. She’s the most lovely, bouncy, bubbly little girl and she has already grown a lot in the time I’ve known her.

“I also feel so grateful that Fran and Mike came into my life. They are such amazing parents and I know I have a friend for life in Fran.

“I’m just glad they still have their little girl,” she ended.

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