Police Bravery Awards 2008 - Region 3 Winner - West Mercia officers Mathew Crisp and Richard Gray
STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 10 PM THURSDAY JULY 10
NO APPROACH TO BE MADE TO WINNING OFFICER BEFORE 10PM
West Mercia officers scoop regional bravery award
Constables Matthew Crisp and Richard Gray (fallen officer) 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 West Mercia officers were awarded one of eight regional awards at the ceremony and PC Crisp accepted the award on behalf of his fallen colleague following a reception at 10 Downing Street where he, and 62 other nominees, met the Prime Minister.
Constables Richard Gray (fallen officer) and Mat Crisp were called to provide back up to two colleagues being held at gun point after a domestic incident escalated out of control.
The officers who arrived on the scene first were greeted with a very volatile situation in which a man was threatening his partner with a rifle and then turned on the unarmed officers. One of the quick thinking officers pressed the emergency button on his radio which alerted the control room to the situation and also informed them there were hostages.
Constable’s Gray and Crisp were part of the armed response unit on duty and made their way to the incident. When they arrived, they saw their colleagues being held at gunpoint and they immediately made their way towards them. Constable Gray ran down the alleyway to the rear of the house which distracted the gun man allowing the two officers to escape uninjured.
Constable Gray then bravely confronted the man and a shot was fired. Constable Crisp saw his colleague Constable Gray slump on his side against the wall of the house. Realising his colleague had been shot Constable Crisp called out to him repeatedly to see if he was OK but he failed to respond.
Constable Crisp immediately called for back up and relayed information back to the control room. He waited until back up arrived and then assisted in moving Constable Grey to a safe location but sadly he died from his injuries. His killer was found in the rear garden of the property having committed suicide.
The extraordinary brave actions of Constable Gray and Crisp prevented the hostage and indeed their colleagues from any injury.
Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation which organises the Police Bravery Awards, said:
“These officers deserve the highest praise for their courageous and selfless acts. PC Richard Gray paid the ultimate price for his heroic actions which is deeply regretful. Both officers are a credit to the police service and the community they served. We hope this award goes some way towards recognising their heroic and self-sacrificing actions.”
Editor of The Sun Newspaper Rebekah Wade said:
“This police officer faced a terrifying and unpredictable situation. They showed extraordinary bravery in tackling such violent offenders despite knowing one of their colleagues had been shot. Their selfless courage deserves the highest praise and it is an honour for The Sun to have this opportunity to recognise the dedication of such heroic officers.”
NOTE TO EDITORS
For further details, or to arrange an interview with PC Crisp, call Andy White on 07977 541410. 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 Tim Duffy on 07970 590861.
Photographs of the nominees with the Prime Minister will be available at 9.00 am on Friday 13th July from the Sun picture desk. Contact Adrian Smith on 020 7782 4199.
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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