Courageous officers celebrated at Thames Valley Police Federation Bravery Awards 2022

Courageous Thames Valley Police officers were celebrated at the annual Thames Valley Police Federation Bravery Awards last night (28/4).

All attendees were winners in their own right but PC Ben Eastment and PC Derek Ingram were named the overall winners at the gala event.

The officers have both also received a Chief Constable’s Higher Commendation for their actions to rescue an unconscious woman from a burning building.

Congratulations to everyone involved and to the winners whose extraordinary efforts were recognised on the night.

The other Bravery Award winners were:

• Sergeantt Ben Clarke, PC Jessica Howells, PC Roxane Lines, PC Jack Smith and PC Luke Wallis winners for their actions in saving a woman’s life.
• Sgt Andrew Baylis, Sgt James Cartwright, Sgt Matthew Richardson, PC Patrycja Pulkowska and PC Alasdair Uren for their actions in the detention of a dangerous killer.
• Sgt Oliver Brixey, PC Stuart Hadley, PC Angus Hay and PC Robert Kindred for their involvement in saving the life of a young boy.
• PC James Dalton, PC Richard Fenemore, PC Steve Hall and PC Lee Sullivan for their actions in stopping a man who had set his room on fire and tried to attack them with a knife.

The Excellence Awards recipients were:

• The Public Order Department for its work removing protesters from HS2 sites.
• PC Matt Diduca and PC Colin Riley for their exceptional work and empathy shown at a fatal road traffic collision sadly involving young children.
• Serious Collision Investigation Unit in recognition of their work investigating serious collisions and providing support to families involved.
• Sgt Marc Lester, PC Shaun Nash, PC Helen Rendell, PC Daniel Gunston and PC Charlotte Laxton recognised for their courageous actions at a car crash that sadly killed a mother and three of her children.
• The Major Crime team recognised for their work investigating homicides, which have almost doubled in recent months.

Detective Inspector Tina Wallace was recognised with the Women in Policing award for her excellent mentoring of colleagues whilst continuing duties to protect the public.

Thames Valley Police Federation chair Craig O'Leary said: "Police officers are much more than crime fighters and once again this incident shows just that.

“Ben and Derek no doubt saved the woman’s life by putting themselves in harm’s way – and they also made sure that no one else was going to come to any harm.

“They went above and beyond the call of duty and we were all relieved that they were not seriously hurt themselves.

“We commend them on their quick-thinking and bravery."

JD