A Police Officer serving with Derbyshire Police has been commended for his bravery and for his calm composure when he arrested a male who had just tried to decapitate a man and parade his head on a broomstick.
Pc Richard Edge received the bravery award after confronting 60-year-old Martin McDermott and arresting him without using any force in a situation where deadly force could well have been used if the suspect wasn’t so compliant.
Taking into the account what McDermott had just done then, as a police officer, you are going to be prepared to do whatever it takes in order to protect the public and your colleagues.
The incident, which took place at a hostel in Derby last August, was described by Derbyshire Police as one of the most gruesome investigations officers had undertaken.
In video footage (below) that was captured on the arresting officers body-worn camera, you can clearly see the suspect covered in blood.
Leslie Salmon, a 44-year-old father, was stabbed in the neck during a brutal attack which lasted nearly 20 minutes.
When officers arrived at the gruesome scene, they called for medical assistance, but despite their best efforts Salmon died later that day.
Detective Inspector Gemma Booth, of Derbyshire Police, said: “When he was first arrested on suspicion of attempted murder at the scene he shouted ‘way hey’.”
Sentencing, Judge Gregory Dickinson QC said:
“You told the police you wanted to parade his head around on a pole through the hostel, and when the prosecution outlined that element I noticed the wry grin that was on your face.”
McDermott was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 25 years at Nottingham Crown Court on February 12.
Speaking at the constabulary awards ceremony this week, Derbyshire Police Chief Constable Peter Goodman said: “Nights such as this are a truly humbling experience – showing the incredible work that is done by officers across the county.”
Stories such as this one just go to highlight what police officers up-and-down the country are expected to respond to when the call comes in.
A fact that sometimes tends to be ignored by some sections of the media who wish to push an ‘anti-police’ agenda.
But I would personally like to see the same sort of person who ridicules the police get sent to a scenario similar to that which PC Edge and his colleagues had to deal with during this incident.
A post on the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page said of the incident and subsequent bravery award:
‘A Derbyshire police officer who confronted a violent killer has been commended for his bravery.
‘PC Richard Edge received a commendation from the Chief Constable at the Derbyshire Constabulary Celebrating Achievement Awards last night.
‘Held at Derbyshire County Cricket Club, the awards celebrated acts of bravery, heroism and hard work.
‘PC Edge received his commendation for his role in apprehending Martin McDermott – who had just stabbed to death Leslie Salmon at Burdett Lodge bail hostel, Derby, in August last year.
‘After receiving a call to reports that a man had been stabbed, PC Edge bravely entered the hostel and found Mr Salmon – who he organised medical help for – before completing his search for the killer.
‘Body-worn footage taken at the time showed the moment PC Edge found McDermott in the garden of the hostel – his hands still covered in blood from the vicious attack – and used his Taser device to detain him before fellow officers were able to cuff him and make an arrest.
‘PC Edge was among dozens of officers and staff from the force who received various awards. We’ll release more details of the winners tomorrow.
Written by one of the many admins of Emergency Services Humour who is also a regular blogger in our fortnightly eMagazine ’S__ts & Giggles’ which you can sign up to by visiting our Facebook page and clicking on the ‘sign up’ button or by visiting: ShitsAndGiggles.Online
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