AN ESSEX Police officer has proven he is never off duty – even when on holiday – after he was nominated for this year’s Police Bravery Awards for saving a man from a violent attack in Israel.<\/p>\n
Sgt Richard Burgess and had been visiting Oskar Schindler\u2019s grave in Jerusalem when he saw three men pulling another man down an alleyway and into a compound.<\/p>\n
The man\u2019s eyes were streaming, as if he had been sprayed with a noxious substance, and one of the men had a belt around his fist which he was using as a knuckleduster.<\/p>\n
Sgt Burgess said: \u201cI pulled the injured man away and literally threw him up the alleyway shouting \u2018Go Go\u2019 as I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two friends from the tour came to help – PC Sophie Ford and PC Katharine Pearson – who took the man to safety. But the assailants then began attacking Sgt Burgess, hitting him around the face with his belt-buckled fist.<\/p>\n
Sgt Burgess added: \u201cA man emerged armed with a claw hammer. He then hit me over the back of my head, stunning me. As I slumped against the wall, I stared at him and he raised the hammer again above his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cRealising I was about to be struck a potentially fatal blow, I gathered my remaining strength and appealed for calm. I raised my hands in an open gesture as I staggered up. It clearly had effect on the hammer-wielding male as he and the guy with the belt began shouting \u2018Go, get out\u2019 in broken English.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sgt Burgess made his way back to the coach and safety, luckily not requiring hospital treatment. He later learned two men were convicted of assault.<\/p>\n
Sgt Burgess will attend a reception and an evening awards ceremony in London in July.<\/p>\n
The National Police Bravery Awards honour officers who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty. The awards are sponsored by Police Mutual.<\/p>\n
Steve Taylor, Chairman of Essex Police Federation, said: \u201cSgt Burgess\u2019s actions are in the finest traditions of British Policing. Even though this attack occurred in Israel while he was on holiday, this did not stop Richard from stepping in and doing the right thing, potentially saving a man\u2019s life. Congratulations Richard – you truly are a police hero.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"