A POLICE officer and his dog are in line for top bravery awards after tackling a crazed knife-man roaming Bromyard High Street last June, writes Isabel Kimbrey.
PC Mike Davey and police dog PD Bacca showed incredible bravery when they responded to the call.
When the pair arrived they found none of the officers currently on the scene had access to a taser.
After the man, who had been smashing shop windows and trying to gain access to properties, refused to calm down, PD Bacca attempted to detain him but was slashed with the knife, leading to deep wounds on the back of his head and ears.
The man then horrifically began sawing at his own neck with the blade.
PC Davey stepped in to apprehend the knife-man but sustained injuries after a violent struggle ensued, resulting in the man escaping.
However the heroic pair were determined to make sure he did not get away and tracked him down.
They chased him down again and PD Bacca, under control of PC Davey, brought him to the ground, again getting slashed with a knife in the process.
The man then escaped for a second time before Bacca again pursued allowing PC Davey to eventually detain him
The pair have since recovered and PD Bacca has become he first dog to ever be presented with a West Mercia Police Chief Constable’s commendation. PC Davey was also awarded a commendation.
The man who attacked them later died before standing trial.
West Mercia Police Federation Chairman Sarah Cooper said PC Davey and PD Bacca had shown incredible bravery and determination to protect the public.
“This was a horrific and aggressive attack,” she said.
“The bravery shown by PC Davey and Bacca that night went beyond the call of duty and they refused to let this suspect harm himself or members of the public.
“It was a chaotic scene and the man they detained clearly had no intention of stopping what he was doing voluntarily, they had to step in and defuse the situation which they did extremely professionally, despite their injuries.
“It’s an extremely well-deserved nomination.”
PC Davey will attend a reception and an evening awards ceremony in London in July.
The National Police Bravery Awards, sponsored by Police Mutual, honour officers from across England and Wales who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.
