Officer Honoured After Apprehending Armed and Vulnerable Man in Public

9 May 2025

An officer who successfully challenged and apprehended a man carrying a gun – which he had pointed at a police car - and a knife in a public place has won an Essex Police Federation 2025 Bravery Award.

Sgt Rob Partridge – who was a PC at time - will now join colleagues across the county at a prestigious Awards ceremony in Essex on May 15 where an overall winner will be announced.

During the early hours of 16 February 2023, police received reports of a concern for welfare, involving a vulnerable man who had left his address and threatened to end his life.

The police were able to track the man, and officers spotted him in Chelmsford. As they approached the man, they could see he was holding a handgun. The unarmed officers retreated and requested armed support, continuing to keep the man in view while awaiting backup.

Firearms officers and Sgt Partridge found the man sitting on a wall in a public green, still holding the handgun. The ARVs moved into containment positions and Sgt Partridge engaged with the man. It was clear the man was in crisis, and he was telling the officers to just shoot him. 

Sgt Partridge continued to negotiate with the man and eventually the man dropped the firearm - but immediately produced a knife. As he did this, Sgt Partridge could see injuries to the man’s wrists.

Knowing he had to act quickly, Sgt Partridge managed to persuade him to drop the knife, but the man then stopped communicating with officers and would not respond to verbal commands.

A group of officers approached the man, despite a lack of cover and the fact that both weapons were still easily within the man’s reach.

Luckily they were able to restrain the man and immediately provide emergency first aid for his injuries. Due to a delay with the ambulance and the seriousness of the injuries, a decision was made to ‘scoop and run’, so they got him to a place of safety and he received the treatment he needed.

“It was a team game,” said Sgt Partridge. “And I’m very mindful that I wasn’t there on my own, there was a lot of other people there. Whilst I might have been in the primary role, this is a team event. We don’t deploy singularly on firearms operations, so the rest of the team there need the credit as much as me.”

On winning an Award, he added: “We’re proud to do our jobs. I’m proud to do my job. I’m proud to serve the people of Essex.

“The guy needed our help that day. Sadly, it could have gone the other way and I would have been in a position where I’d have to take decisive action. But thankfully it got resolved peacefully, and I’m grateful for that really.”

Essex Police Federation Chair Laura Heggie said: “Rob showed outstanding bravery by running towards the danger that day, and taking immediate action to save this man’s life.

“Rob managed to win his trust and convince him to give up the weapons. This prevented a vulnerable person from causing himself serious or fatal harm and enabled him to get the help he needed.” 

Laura added: “All our other colleagues there that day deserve credit for their work too. A great collection of Essex Police officers.”

Sgt Partridge will attend the 2025 Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards on 15 May. At the event an overall winner or team will be announced, who will travel to London for the National Police Federation Bravery Awards in July.

The Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards are in association with The National Police Healthcare Scheme.

Also sponsoring the awards are Metfriendly, No1 Copperpot Credit Union, Serve and Protect Credit Union, Uniform Mortgages, Police Mutual, Niche, THB Legal, George Burrows and Arc Legal.

If you are affected by this story, please contact the Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/.