In September 2023, officers in a small rural village were confronted with one of the most harrowing incidents imaginable. A frantic 999 call reported that a man was being attacked by two dogs near residential homes and St Peter’s Primary School. What followed was an extraordinary display of courage, composure, and humanity from officers who had arrived expecting an ordinary shift but instead found themselves running towards lethal danger.

When police reached the scene, one dog had retreated into the home, while the other remained loose outside. The situation was volatile, fast-moving, and unfolding in a community moment away from the end of the school day.

PC Matt Asbury, PC Alex Clayton Tang, and Sgt Lee Turner immediately confronted the dog outside. With limited protective equipment and knowing the dog had just fatally injured a man, they used whatever means they could to restrain it. They managed to pin the dog to the ground, sitting and lying across it to keep it subdued until dog support arrived some 30 minutes later. Their actions prevented further serious injury or death and crucially created the space paramedics needed to reach the victim and attempt life-saving treatment.

At the same time, PC Karl Sproston noticed the second dog at a window inside the flat, with the door open. Realising the risk of the dog escaping again, he sprinted to the address in what became a race to the door. He reached it first, putting himself directly in harm’s way to ensure the dog could not re-enter the public domain. Once secured, he returned to assist with first aid for the victim.

Sgt Katie Gallagher took immediate control of the wider scene, directing officers, and ensuring the owner of the dogs was arrested for having a dog dangerously out of control. Her leadership provided clarity in chaos.

Meanwhile, a second group of officers, PC Katie Smith, PC Millie Holt, Sgt Gallagher, PC Adam Iche, PC Caitlin O’Regan, and PC Liz Brotherhood, worked to contain the second dog and shield the public. Without protective equipment, they surrounded the animal, preventing it from running towards the nearby school. They successfully corralled it into a garden, forming a human barrier until dog support officers could attend after securing the first dog. Their actions undoubtedly prevented further serious injury or death and protected their colleagues who were still restraining the first dog on the road.

PC Adam Iche delivered the first critical medical intervention for the victim, Mr Price. He conducted the initial assessment and administered CPR until the ambulance arrived, performing outstandingly under immense pressure.

PC Caitlin O’Regan and PC Liz Brotherhood then accompanied the victim and his family to hospital. Both witnessed deeply distressing scenes, including emergency surgery on the pavement. Liz, a student officer in only her second week of rotation, remained in the ambulance while heart massage was taking place. Caitlin, acting as her tutor, showed compassion and ensured Liz’s welfare remained paramount throughout.

PCs Millie Holt and Katie Smith, both still in tutorship, supported traumatised members of the public and the victim’s family. Despite their limited experience, they conducted themselves with professionalism and maturity, requiring little direction.

Sgt Mitch Rigby managed the wider scene, including distressed family members attempting to reach the location, ensuring safety and order during an emotionally charged incident.

Dog support officers, Robert Mountford and Craig Neeson, arrived promptly. They secured the dog on the road, then the second dog at the address, and provided expert advice to the ground commander. They also carried out the difficult but necessary task of euthanising both animals.

CID officers, led by DS Paul Stafford, supported the local teams in the aftermath. DC Emily Knapp, the officer in charge, worked tirelessly to secure charges and ensure justice for the family. Both she and DS Stafford went above and beyond, maintaining communication with the family throughout an emotionally devastating investigation.

Behind the scenes, ACR operatives and dispatchers handled harrowing 999 calls and expertly managed a chaotic, complex, and deeply emotive incident.

The owner of the dogs has since been charged, with trial set for late summer 2025.

This incident was traumatic for the family, the public, and every officer involved. Whether restraining dangerous dogs, administering first aid to a fatally injured victim, protecting children and residents, or supporting grieving relatives, each officer demonstrated exceptional bravery.

They attended work that day not knowing what they would face. They ran towards danger, prioritising the safety of others above their own, and acted with professionalism, compassion, and extraordinary courage.

Staffordshire Police federation Chair Matthew Smith said “I am immensely proud of these eleven Staffordshire Police officers.  In the face of a horrific and traumatic incident, they placed themselves in extreme danger with courage and professionalism, acting selflessly to protect others.  Their bravery and commitment embody the very best of policing, even amid the deepest tragedy.”

Detective Superintendent Cheryl Hannan, of Staffordshire Police, said: "This was a devastating incident for all those involved and Ian’s death could have been avoided if Trimble-Pettitt took the action that any reasonable person would and secured his dogs properly. Ian suffered catastrophic injuries after being attacked and died a short time later.

“Our thoughts continue to be with Ian's family and friends.”

Their collective actions prevented further loss of life. Their bravery deserves the highest recognition.