Police Bravery Awards 2008 - Region 1 Winner - Merseyside officer Philip Quirk
STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 10 PM THURSDAY JULY 10
NO APPROACH TO BE MADE TO WINNING OFFICER BEFORE 10PM
Merseyside officer scoops regional bravery award
A Merseyside officer who saved the life of his colleague from a ferocious knife maniac has been voted the bravest cop in the region in the 13th annual Police Bravery Awards.
PC Philip Quirk clinched the title at The Dorchester on 10th July in the presence of Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith and a host of celebrities.
The annual awards are organised by the Police Federation of England and Wales and sponsored by The Sun Newspaper.
The officer received one of eight regional awards at the glittering award ceremony which followed a reception at 10 Downing Street where they, and 64 other nominees, met the Prime Minister.
Probationary Constable Philip Quirk and Constable James Lloyd were called to a report of criminal damage in March 2006.
The occupants of the house told the officers who was responsible for the damage and it transpired that the suspect was well know to the officers. He had a string of convictions including incidents of serious assaults on police officers.
While talking to the occupants the suspect burst in lunged at PC Lloyd from behind stabbing him in the head and neck. Instantly PC Quirk hit the attacker with his baton and sprayed CS gas in his face. The ferocious attacker continued stabbing PC Lloyd.
PC Quirk put out a call for assistance and advised the residents to get out of the house while he continued to fight the man himself. PC Lloyd managed to stumble towards his colleague and PC Quirk brought him to the safety of the kitchen where he gave him first aid until paramedics arrived. Meanwhile the attacker fled but was arrested close by.
Afterwards PC Lloyd thanked his colleague for his brave act; "Without Phil's intervention, I could have been dead. If he had just steamed in he would have been in hospital too but he stood back, used his head and the equipment on his belt."
Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation which organises the Police Bravery Awards, said:
“This officer deserves the utmost praise for tackling such a violent and dangerous individual. He put his life on the line to protect his colleague and the residents within the house. This officer is a credit to the police service. We hope this award goes some way towards recognising his heroic actions.”
Editor of The Sun Newspaper Rebekah Wade said:
“PC Quirk faced a terrifying and extremely dangerous situation but by keeping calm he was able to assist his colleague and save him from more serious injury. This award is very fitting praise to a young officer who showed immense bravery in tackling such a violent attacker.”
NOTE TO EDITORS
For further details, or to arrange an interview with Philip Quirk, call Kathryn Kane on 0151 2592535. No approach should be made before 10 pm.
A video reconstruction and footage of the Downing Street reception and awards ceremony is available from 9am on Friday 11th July by calling Lorna Carmichael on 020 7782 4322.
Photographs of the nominees with the Prime Minister will be available at 9.00 am on Friday 11th July from the Sun picture desk.
For further information contact: Rachel Barnet/Una Carney at the Police Federation on 0137 235 2071 or Lorna Carmichael at the Sun Newspaper on 07836 340423.
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