Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Gallantry gong for hero PSNI officer
Sgt knifed in head as he saved woman and kids
A POLICEMAN who suffered horrific injuries when he tackled a knife wielding maniac to save a woman and two kids has been awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.
Sgt Mark Wright “put his own life in danger” at a house in Lurgan, Co Armagh in February 2012 where the man was “dangerously out of control”.
Police say he had assaulted a woman and then locked himself inside with two “very young children”.
Initially he did not realise the man was armed with two knives, but “realising the seriousness of the situation, he attempted to force entry”.
A PSNI spokesman added: “He was then stabbed by the man wielding both knives and suffered serious head wounds:
“Despite his injuries, Sgt Wright wrestled with the man, who also tried to stab a colleague in the throat. Sgt Wright apprehended the man and handcuffed him.
“Although seriously wounded, his actions ensured the safety of two young children, the woman and his two colleagues. The man was convicted and jailed for seven years.”
Reacting to the news, Sgt Wright said he and his colleagues are “not afraid to put ourselves in harm’s way”.
He added: “Our job as police officers is to protect lives and to keep people safe and on that night I was only doing my job protecting the individuals within the house.
“I will be accepting this award on behalf of all my colleagues with in the PSNI as this was a team effort.”
Chief Supt Alywin Barton said he was “hugely proud of Sgt Wright and his colleagues”.
He added: “They have been recognised for their heroism and bravery. He put his life in real danger and doing so protected and indeed saved lives.”