Staffordshire Police officer who tackled knifeman honoured
A police officer who tackled a knife-wielding attacker before wrestling him to the ground has been honoured at an awards ceremony.
Pc Kate Holding, from Cannock, was given the High Sheriff's Millennium Vase for her actions when she responded to a call about a fight at a house in Rugeley in May.
She was presented with the trophy at the Staffordshire Police Annual Awards ceremony.
Officers heard how she kicked a man's fist so he dropped a knife, which she grabbed and threw it clear. She then wrestled him into handcuffs and dragged him outside to the front of the house where her colleague restrained him fully.
Pc Holding then went back inside to help the injured attack victim out of the house and attempted to stem the blood loss with a towel. She was joined by two colleagues who tried to stem the bleeding further. The three police officers were joined by an ambulance crew and all gave first aid. They continued to treat the patient until an air ambulance arrived.
Award judges, led by Chief Constable Mike Cunningham, said in their citation: "Kate's actions during the initial knife attack saved the victim from further injury and possible death."
Acting Special Sergeant Cheryl Birch was also honoured at the Staffordshire Police Annual Awards at the County Showground.
The Stafford police officer scooped the Nicholas Tempest Award, given in memory of the Deputy Chief Officer of Special Constabulary in Staffordshire who died suddenly in early 2000 having completed almost 27 years of service.
She was approached in July 2012 to take on the role of Leader of the first Staffordshire Cadet Unit based at Police Headquarters at Weston Road.
A statement by the judges panel said: "Along with her usual duties at Stafford Borough LPT, she accepted the role and has built around her a strong team of assistants, including fellow Special Constabulary officers, regular officers and volunteers."
With 33 Cadets currently training, Cheryl regularly commits over 100 hours to the Cadets each month, organising meetings, detailing duties to the staff and ensuring the event runs smoothly.
"Debriefing at the end of each session, she then begins work on the next week's schedule. All of the administration and allocation of tasks is completed by her and all the staff on the team have the utmost respect for the amount of time and effort she puts in each week," the statement continued.
The awards ceremony was held at the County Showground on Tuesday.
