Brave trio honoured at awards ceremony

12 July 2024

A trio of courageous North Yorkshire officers have been honoured at this year’s national Police Bravery Awards.

PCs Dave Burgess, Joanne Ollerenshaw and Sam Walsh were in the running for the Region 2 award after they put their own lives in danger to protect the public and ambulance staff from a violent and aggressive man.

The three cops attended the annual awards ceremony last night (Thursday 11 July) in London, along with Federation rep Elaine Malcom and Chief Constable Tim Forber.

Dave, who is just weeks away from retirement, said that he ‘could not have asked for a better way to end his career’.

“The night was amazing. Honestly, a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Dave, who was joined by his wife, Michelle.

“I’m five weeks away from retirement, and what a way to go - honestly, what a way to go. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end it.

(Left to right) Chief Constable Tim Forber with PCs Sam Walsh,
Joanne Ollerenshaw and Dave Burgess.

“It’s been a real privilege celebrating today, and sharing this experience with two of my favourite colleagues.”

Joanne bought her dad, Lee, to the event. She said: “It’s been so nice swapping stories with our colleagues and hearing from everyone else from other forces.”

The officers received their nomination after being called to a report of a man with a knife who was reportedly suffering a mental health episode at an address in Cross Hills.

They arrived in the early hours of 24 August 2022, to be confronted by the attacker, who emerged from a basement window armed with a metal grate.

The officers initially tried to speak to him and calm him down but his violent behaviour continued.

Tasers

They then discharged two Tasers in a bid to subdue the man, but they had no effect.

At this point, he charged at the officers and carried out a sustained onslaught of extreme violence towards them.

At times, the officers struggled to shield themselves from the attack and did not know if they would survive, but continued to show outstanding bravery to keep the public and paramedics safe.

Reflecting on the incident Sam, who attended last night’s ceremony with his partner, John Moss, said: “We had no other option that to face the situation head on. We couldn’t run away. We had to look after one another and just do the best we could do.”

The officers narrowly missed out on the Region 2 award, with a team from Cleveland Police clinching the title.

Federation representative Elaine said she was ‘beaming with pride’.

“It was an absolute honour to represent North Yorkshire Police Federation at this year’s event,” she said, adding: “The room was bursting with so many inspirational stories, it was a privilege to be among so many heroic officers.

Proud

“I know I speak on behalf of everyone at the Federation when I say just how proud I am of our nominees. I hope they enjoyed spending time in London together, and with their loved ones - they really deserved it.”

Echoing Elaine’s words, the Chief Constable said: “I couldn’t be prouder of our nominations, they really do represent the best of policing.

“This is the third time I’ve attended the bravery awards. I’m a really proud police officer and tonight’s event always reminds me why. It’s just so brilliant. We hear so many stories from people who have done amazing things.”

Acting national Federation chair Tiff Lynch opened this year’s awards ceremony, which was in its 29th year.

Addressing the audience, she said: “Tonight, we will hear extraordinary stories of bravery. Officers who will say, ‘it’s just part of the job’, but it’s not just part of the job it’s going above and beyond the requirements of the job, and tonight we get the chance to recognise and thank those officers.”

The new Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, and the recently appointed policing minister, Dame Diana Johnson DBE, were also in attendance. Earlier in the day, the pair welcomed all nominations to Downing Street for an exclusive garden reception ahead of the event.

Ms Cooper, who revealed it was the 14th Police Bravery Awards that she had attended, said: “The reason I’ve attended so many Police Bravery Awards is because I think it’s so important to respect and recognise the work you do.

“And because the stories are always so inspirational, often so difficult, the incredibly difficult situations you have faced.

Extreme violence

“The extreme violence that you will have had to work towards, the dangerous rescues that so many of you have undertaken.”

She thanked the officers present, as well as those across the county and the partners, relatives and families of cops whose support ‘makes the work they do possible’.

Later on in the evening, Dame Diana also thanked all officers in the room.

“To you and all your colleagues, for what you do to keep the public safe, thank you. I was struck by the impressive people you are. A phrase that stuck out for me is ‘forever going into the unknown’.

“Your families must be so proud of you. I am so proud of you. To those here tonight, be proud of what you do. It could not matter more.”

The ceremony was hosted by TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith, with Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington also in attendance.

The overall winners on the night were a pair of Met officers, PCs Alannah Mulhall and Joe Gerrard, who were stabbed multiple times while protecting members of the public in Leicester Square in the capital.

The annual event is organised by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) and is sponsored by Police Mutual.