Seven Essex Police officers win bravery awards after confronting Sir David Amess' killer
The group also attempted to save the life of the former Southend West MP after he was stabbed
Seven Essex Police officers who were involved in the arrest of the man who killed former Southend MP David Amess have been given awards for their bravery.
PC Ryan Curtis and PC Scott James were both given the accolade by the Essex Police Federation, along with Insp Andrew Jopson, Sgt Jonathan Main, PC Daniel Smy, PC L’Wren Bremer and PC Lily Wellington.
The officers were called to reports of a stabbing at a church in Leigh-on-Sea on 15 October 2021, with unarmed PCs Curtis and James being the first on scene.
They entered the church to confront the killer - Ali Harbi Ali - who was still holding the knife he'd used to attack Sir David Amess.
They managed to disarm him and place him under arrest.
Insp Andrew Jopson, Sgt Jonathan Main, PC Daniel Smy, PC L’Wren Bremer and PC Lily Wellington arrived soon after and started CPR on Sir David Amess before paramedics arrived.
Sir David died from his injuries.
PC James recalled: “I remember it all happening very quickly, one minute we were conducting a routine arrest and the next minute we were on blue lights to the church where we knew the suspect was still inside with a knife.
“No-one knew if there were any other members of the public inside with the attacker. At this point we knew there was no option other than for Ryan and I to go inside without taser or firearms support."
“We couldn’t stand outside if there was a chance other people were getting attacked and we also wanted to get paramedics inside the building as soon as possible to save Sir David.
“Our biggest fear that day was that there were other defenceless people inside with Sir David waiting for the police to come through the door – so any fears we had were put to one side."
Insp Jopson said: “We had to deal with a lot of trauma. Two of the officers there had barely two years’ service and they were thrust right into the centre of what was one of the most high-profile incidents nationally. They all did an amazing job."
Laura Heggie, Chair of Essex Police Federation, said: “Ryan, Scott, Andrew, James, Daniel, L’Wren and Lily are an absolute credit to Essex Police. We are so proud of them.
“Despite being front and centre of what was an incredibly harrowing incident, everyone in attendance conducted themselves with professionalism and compassion. And no shortage of bravery.
"Little did they know when they arrived at that church the international spotlight that was going to be on them and their actions that day and they all did Essex proud."