Sheffield police officers honoured for bravery

PCs Chelsea Rudge and Christopher Beevers, who are both based at Ecclesfield police station, were nominated for the 21st Police Bravery Awards in London, after they arrested a killer in a burning building last July.

They arrived at a burning flat in Bluebell Close, Wincobank and found 44-year-old Cy Cooper seriously injured and slumped unconscious on the ground.

After dragging him away from the flames and attempting emergency first aid they spotted two other men trying to enter the flat.

Braving the flames for a second time, the officers arrested Paul Cain, 24, at the scene and he was jailed for life in February after being found guilty of murder.

Mr Cooper died after being kicked and stamped on before being slashed across his neck.

His home was set alight to cover his killer’s tracks.

PCs Rudge and Beevers were among the runners-up at the award ceremony in London this week.

Chief Superintendent David Hartley said: “Incidents like this remind the public just how close our officers get to serious harm and the risks they take to protect and save lives. While their actions that night sadly could not save Mr Cooper, they risked their own safety to drag him from the fire and that cannot be underestimated.

“These two officers demonstrated outstanding courage when faced with a violent and dangerous offender and it is only right that their bravery was recognised in a national forum by forces across the country.

PC Rudge said: "We feel honoured to be recognised for our actions and wish to also honour everyone else that was involved and came to help us, including the ambulance and fire brigade.

“We want to say that every day, officers go to jobs where their actions are brave and they don’t receive any recognition for these acts.

“As officers, we think nothing of our actions as we see them as simply being part of our job, so we just want to say thank you and honour all officers for their everyday bravery.”