Commendation For Bravery

AN Essex Police officer who was stabbed 11 times on his doorstep by a “fixated” man has been presented with the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.

 The officer had been targeted by a man from Rayleigh, who had tracked him down after becoming fixated with him and launching a harassment campaign on social media.

 The officer received his award from Essex Lord-Lieutenant Jennifer Tolhurst, alongside Essex Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington and Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst.

 Mrs Tolhurst told him she was “particularly privileged and honoured” to be able to present the Commendation as the Monarch’s personal representative in Essex.

 The officer was awarded Mr Harrington’s first Merit Star in 2020 for his brave actions following the frenzied knife attack at his home in April 2019, which left him with wounds to arm, armpit, shoulder, chest, abdomen and stomach.

 Despite his serious injuries, the officer used tactics learnt during police training to keep the man out of his home and away from his wife and two children.

 Mr Harrington added: “This officer was, and continues to be, so brave. Despite suffering horrific and life-changing injuries, he put the safety of his family and his neighbours first.

 “While still being attacked, he tackled the man to the ground, so he could not hurt anyone else, and restrained him until colleagues and paramedics arrived.

 “Since that terrible day, he has shown such great resilience and strength of purpose in his rehabilitation and by returning to the job he loves.”

 The officer says receiving the Queen’s Commendation was ‘a real surprise and I’m grateful for the recognition’.

 John McCartney, then aged 40, was sentenced in 2020 to an indefinite hospital order after admitting a charge of attempted murder.

  He was also given an indefinite restraining order, forbidding him from contacting the officer and his family or going to their home.

Picture: The Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst, presents the Commendation. Pic Essex Police.

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