Officers who tackled axe-wielding man in Glasgow city centre honoured for bravery

Eight police officers from Glasgow were recognised for their extraordinary acts of bravery at the Scottish Police Federation Bravery Awards.

The Scottish Police Federation celebrated the bravery of 23 police officers at a prestigious ceremony in the Macdonald Holyrood Hotel in Edinburgh. The third annual awards honoured officers who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.

Two police officers who protected the public from a violent, armed man in the city centre received a bravery award.

PC Daniel White and PC Alexander McCullough were first to arrive at the scene on West Nile Street during rush hour in April this year.

They were called to respond to a man who had attacked two members of the public with an axe and was further armed with more knives. He was covered in blood and highly aggressive. The man then proceeded to slash at his own neck with the blades, despite repeated shouts to stop from the officers.

PC White and PC McCullough grabbed him and kept him restrained until paramedics arrived. The man later died from his sustained injuries.

PC White, a police officer of 12 years, said: “When we arrived, it was clear this was a confusing situation. When we saw that the man was also attacking himself, it was quite shocking. When you’re in this position, you know that you are responsible for protecting people, so you just do it.”

PC McCullough, who has 13 years of service with Police Scotland, added: “We were just focused on trying to contain the situation and make sure no one got hurt. That’s our job; it’s what we signed up to do. You don’t realise the danger you’re in until afterwards.”

Andrea MacDonald, Chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “The actions undertaken by these police officers that day were incredibly brave.

They ran towards certain danger, knowing full well they were unarmed and could have fallen victim to the man’s attack. They stood their ground and went forward to protect others. This level of courage and commitment is simply breath taking. Daniel and Alexander thoroughly deserve to be honoured for what they did.”

Four officers, who pulled a violent man from a house fire in Drumchapel, while protecting Fire Service colleagues, also won a bravery award. The Glasgow North West Police officers, PC Michael Baxter, PC Derek Paton, PC David Robertson and PC Liam Burns, were called to a property earlier this year, after the firefighters reported they were unable to enter the blazing building.

They collectively had to subdue a man swinging a nail headed baseball bat and who had set fire to the block of flats he lived in.

PC Robertson, who was treated for smoke inhalation after the incident, said; “We just wanted to get the situation under control. Yes, it was frightening, but the main thing is just to do your job.