Police commendation awards
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
26/09/2008
An 18 year-old girl who saved the life of a man who had been brutally stabbed was honoured for her bravery at a special commendation ceremony last week.
The service, held at Queens Club, West Kensington on Wednesday September 24, also saluted over 25 police officers who have recently put their lives on the line.
Kerry Flynn was on a bus in Fulham in October 2006 when two men boarded and launched their stabbing frenzy. While all passengers ran from the scene, Kerry administered first aid, although she had received no training herself. Two men are now serving life sentences for the savage crime.
Kerry said: “I just did what felt right at the time. I still don’t understand why no one else helped. I am glad that the victim is OK now and I hope to meet him one day.”
Detective Sergeant Will Reynolds also received an award for leading the investigation that led to the conviction of the two thugs. He said: “Kerry really was outstanding in the way she responded to this traumatic and frightening situation. While all the other passengers ran off, Kerry stayed behind to help. Without Kerry’s actions, this man would almost certainly have died.”
Amongst police officers who received awards was 28 year-old PC Robert Crossley. PC Crossley chased a violent robber through the streets of Fulham on his day off last April and still managed to make an arrest even after the crook had brandished a metal object.
PC Crossley said: “There is no such thing as a day off for a police officer. It was a little scary but there was a job to be done. I am very proud to have won such a prestigious award.”
Also honoured was Sergeant Ian Lewis, who rescued a man from a collapsing building in Tunis Street, Shepherds Bush, last November. He said: “I didn’t think about the risk I was imposing on myself until after the event. There was a job to be done and I’m just pleased that I could help.”
Handing out the award certificates were Borough Commander Detective Chief Superintendent Kevin Hurley and Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, Cllr Andrew Johnson.
Borough Commander Hurley, said: “We are here today to pay tribute to these brave, selfless, professional and truly dedicated police staff and officers. Crime in this borough is falling and it is due to the hard work of these officers and their colleagues that this is the case.”
Mayor Johnson said: “I firmly believe that the Met is the best police force in the world. I have heard about some incredible acts of bravery today. These officers uphold the values of a decent society and are willing to take any risk to protect the public. We owe them all a phenomenal debt of gratitude.”
