West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Awards: Sergeant Paul Williams named overall winner

3 February 2025

An officer who saved the life of a woman who was being savagely attacked in the street by two dogs will represent West Midlands Police at this year’s National Bravery Awards.

Sergeant Paul Williams was named the overall winner at the West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Awards.

Paul was presented with the PC David Green Shield after rescuing a woman from a mauling by two German shepherd-type dogs in Yardley, Birmingham in the early hours of 23 May last year.

Paul said: “I’m a bit overwhelmed. It’s a lot to take in. West Midlands Police is a massive Force area and our officers do stuff every single day that is really brave – as brave as what I did – but it’s not always recognised.

“For me, it’s nice to have that recognition and to share the evening with everyone else who has been recognised for what they have done.”

Sergeant Paul Williams was presented with the PC David Green Shield.

The shield he was presented with is named in honour of 20-year-old PC David Green, who was stabbed to death by a mob in Birmingham city centre in 1975. In David’s 15-month career, he was commended three times for his bravery.

Paul also received a West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Award for the Birmingham area, which was sponsored by Axon.

He was single-crewed when he arrived at the scene to find the woman being mauled by the two dogs. She already had serious injuries and was close to dying.

Paul got out of his car and attempted to use his Taser to subdue one of the dogs, but was unsuccessful.

Dog attack

The dogs charged at him, forcing him back into his car, before they returned to continue their attack on the woman.

Paul got out again and this time his Taser brought down one of the dogs. The other latched onto his arm, but he managed to shake it off and get back into his vehicle.

Colleagues arrived in support and took the victim to hospital, while both dogs were captured.

The woman was in intensive care for four weeks, while Paul described his injuries, which required dressing and injections, as superficial.

He said: “As police officers, we’re the ones that are called and we’re the ones that need to take action and we’re the ones that sign up to do that.

“I couldn’t just sit there and watch her get killed in front of me. And if it wasn’t me, nobody else was going to do anything, so that’s what I did.”

Danger and fear

Paul was nominated by Inspector Matt Baldwin.

The citation said: “Despite the obvious danger and fear, you distracted the dogs allowing the woman to reach safety.

“You were attacked yourself, receiving injuries to your arm, but were able to frighten the dogs using your Taser. Your courageous actions undoubtedly saved the woman’s life.”

The awards evening, which was held in Birmingham on Thursday (30 January), was sponsored by Slater & Gordon Solicitors.

Paul, who attended with his wife Jemma, also received tea for two at Coombe Abbey near Coventry courtesy of Police Insure.

He will represent West Midlands Police Federation at the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) Police Bravery Awards in London later this year.

Honour

He said: “It’s an honour to have won this award and to go to London on behalf of West Midlands Police and be part of that.

“To be with other officers from across the country who have done brave acts, it will be a real feel-good occasion.”

Jess Davies, West Midlands Police Federation acting chair, said: “Congratulations to Paul, who was a worthy winner of the PC David Green Shield, and to all of the winners at our second bravery awards.

“The evening was a huge success and made possible with the support of all of our sponsors, including headline sponsors Slater and Gordon.

“Our members are doing incredible acts of bravery and making selfless sacrifices every day, and it was great to be able to celebrate and share their stories.”

Best of policing

Tim Rogers, branch secretary, said: “We are really proud of all of our award winners, who demonstrated the very best of policing and of West Midlands Police.

“Selecting an overall winner was incredibly difficult. However, the way Paul put his own safety at risk, and no doubt saved this woman’s life, was absolutely admirable.

“It made him a worthy recipient of the PC David Green Shield and to represent the West Midlands at the national Police Bravery Awards.”