West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Awards: PC Glenn Brabham named overall winner

1 February 2024

A life-saving cop who rescued two elderly women from under an unstable car will represent West Midlands Police Force at this year’s National Police Bravery Awards.

Glenn Brabham was named the overall winner at last night’s (Wednesday 31 January) inaugural West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Awards, taking home the PC David Green Shield. 

The father-of-two clinched the title having saved the lives of two elderly women who had been accidentally run over in a car park. 

“Having heard all of the stories tonight, about what others have been through, it’s unbelievable that I’ve been chosen to receive the PC David Green Shield,” said Glenn, who will join colleagues from across the country at this year’s National Police Bravery Awards ceremony in London, this July.

“It’s a real honour to be the first recipient. I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet that I’ll be representing West Midlands at the National Police Bravery Awards.”

PC Glenn Brabham and wife, Becca, holds the PC David Green Shield.

The PC David Green Shield is named in honour of 20-year-old officer PC David Green, who was stabbed to death by a mob in Birmingham city centre. In David’s 15-month career, he was commended three times for his bravery.

Glenn, 42, who also received the Sandwell area award, which is sponsored by Metfriendly arrived at an incident earlier this year, to find two elderly women trapped underneath a vehicle.

Despite not knowing whether the car was stable or not, Glenn courageously managed to squeeze beneath the car.

“Upon arrival, we didn’t even know if the two women were alive,” he recalled.

“The ladies weren’t responding and at first, we didn’t even know if they were alive. In fact, the first resorts we’d had were that they were both dead.

“I knew I had to get under the car as quickly but safely as possible.”

Having carefully manoeuvred himself underneath the car Glenn said that he quickly realised that only one of the women was responding. 

“My priority was reassuring them, talking to them and letting them both know that they were safe,” said Glenn, who told how he had to continuously ‘switch’ between talking to the women underneath the car and liaising with his colleague who was looking after the driver.

“I had to make sure the women didn’t realise how serious it was. All I could think about was my wife’s nans - who were of a similar age - and what they would want to hear.

“And at the same time, I was aware there was a car over all three of us that I couldn’t disturb.”

Glenn explained how the car was blocked on three sides, making it difficult to move the women to safety. 

“I managed to remove one of the women OK but the second lady just would not respond to begin with, until she started to express the pain she was feeling,” he recalled.

Chair Rich Cooke, PC David Green's finance Thelma, overall winner
Glenn Brabham, Chief Constable Craig Guildford, Sadiq Vohra, Practice
Group Leader, OMS Employment and Jamie McDonnell, of Slater and Gordon.

Eventually, Glenn managed to remove the woman from underneath the car by which time a team from both the ambulance and fire service had arrived on site.

He explained how his colleagues had closed off the road, while a team from the fire service had set up a ‘safe patient area’ where the two women were able to be initially assessed and made as stable as possible. 

The pair were then taken to hospital via ambulance where they were reported to be in a stable but critical condition. They have since been discharged from hospital and are recovering. 

“At their age to survive, is incredible really. The injuries they received were pretty horrific. I was extremely worried about them both.”

Glenn was nominated for his 'exceptional bravery' by Police Sergeant Gareth Johnson, who said: “Having watched the body cam footage back from the incident, without any thought from himself, Glenn immediately got under the car.

“It’s clear he just wanted to save those women. But realistically at any point, that car could’ve fallen down on him.

“Not just bravery but complete composure from him. He remained calm and professional the entire time, even when he was leading the first aid after the women had been released.”

Gareth attended Wednesday’s event, along with Glenn’s wife Becca. 

“Glenn was shocked to have won the Sandwell area award, let alone receive the overall winner title,” continued Gareth.

“Like so many officers, Glenn is so modest about the incidents he attends, so for him - and all of the other award winners - to receive such positive recognition is much deserved.”

Chair of West Midlands Police Federation Rich Cooke said he felt ‘immensely proud’ of all the award winners, as he admits choosing an overall winner was ‘a huge challenge’.

“I feel really proud of all of the award winners. They have each demonstrated impeccable bravery, and every single one of them is an asset to our Force, here in the West Midlands,” said Rich.

“A personal congratulations from me to Glenn. It was difficult for the panel to choose an overall winner, but having heard about Glenn’s courageous actions it became clear that he should be the officer representing the West Midlands at this year’s National Police Bravery Awards. 

“Glenn, who - at the risk of his own life - instantly got under the car and rescued two elderly women, is nothing but admirable.”

The lead investigator who is looking into the incident said he was ‘so impressed with how Glenn went about his work’.

He said: “I just wanted to relay how proud I was of your officers [Glenn] as I watched them go about their work and I think it is important they know, and the whole of the firearms team for that matter, how much we appreciate what they do, keeping their colleagues and the public safe in the most difficult of circumstances. 

“It’s a tough role and we should be really grateful for their willingness to do what they do, especially in the current climate.”

A paramedic from West Midlands Ambulance Service also praised Glenn for his ‘professionalism’.

“The police played a vital role in rapidly extricating the patient from under the unstable vehicle and have no doubt this contributed significantly to saving their lives at that time.

“Please pass on my thanks and recognition of their levels of professionalism in a situation that isn't their typical deployment.”

The West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Awards was sponsored by Slater & Gordon Solicitors and held at Tally Ho Conferencing and Banqueting Centre in Edgbaston.

There were a total of seven awards based on the geographical area of the Force - Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

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