‘True heroism’ of officers honoured with the Queen’s Gallantry Medal

Sergeant Michael Hooper and Police Constable Stephen Quartermain put themselves at huge risk trying to save those onboard, sustaining serious burns and smoke inhalation as the helicopter became engulfed by flames.

Tragically, they were unable to save the five people inside – the football club’s owner and chair Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, two of his staff, the pilot and another crew member.

A third Leicestershire Police officer, Sergeant Shaun Randall, was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery after “putting his own life at risk” when he responded to the Hinckley Road explosion in February 2018 in which five people died.

Two National Crime Agency (NCA) officers who tackled armed suspects fleeing an illegal firearms factory have also been awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.

The five officers were among 12 recipients in the Civilian Gallantry List 2021 announced on Saturday (May 8).

Leicestershire Police Chief Constable Simon Cole QPM said: “Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who lost their lives on that tragic day at Leicester’s beloved football ground. Lots of people were very brave that day but both Mike and Steve showed true heroism; acting on their instincts and risking their own lives to try and save others.

“It is a great honour that they are being recognised in this way – an honour they both deserve. I am extremely proud of them and everyone who responded on the day and the days following the tragedy.”

Sgt Hooper said: “I feel incredibly honoured and proud to have been nominated for this award. Whilst it was extraordinary circumstances and something that no police officer would ever want to face in their entire career; I know that we only acted instinctively; how any other officer from across the country would have reacted.”

PC Quartermain said: “When I found out about the nomination I was shocked. It feels quite surreal, however, I am honoured and humbled.”

Sgt Randall, who was a police constable at the time, was on duty with colleagues when a building on Hinckley Road exploded.

The blast was so strong they thought something had hit their car.

Leicestershire Police said: “Without hesitation or concern for their own safety they rushed to the scene and were faced with a significant scene of devastation and destruction.

“Shaun acted selflessly and at great personal risk. When it became apparent that the fire was spreading he crawled into the rubble and managed to pull a young man to safety before the fire took hold.  He undoubtedly saved his life and that of others thanks to his actions.”

Five people died that day – Mary Ragoobeer, her two sons Shane and Sean and Shane’s girlfriend Leah Reek. Shopkeeper Viktorija Ljevleva, who was the girlfriend of one of the men who planned the explosion, was also killed.

Three men were subsequently found guilty of their murder at the trial.

Sgt Randall said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to receive this award for bravery at such a sad and tragic event in which people needlessly lost their lives.”

Mr Cole said: “What Shaun did on the day of the explosion went above and beyond the call of duty and his immediate actions undoubtedly saved lives. He put his own life at risk arriving at the scene only minutes after the explosion and showed true heroism and bravery. I am very proud of him and everyone who reacted so professionally to such a tragic incident. Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who lost their lives on that day.”

Leicestershire Police Federation also praised the “heroic actions” of the three officers.

Federation chair Adam Commons said: “We are so proud of our trio of terrific colleagues. Their awards are thoroughly deserved.

“The awful tragedy at Leicester City Football Club stadium will resonate with the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for years to come and the thoughts of everyone at Leicestershire Police Federation remain with the family and friends of those who lost their lives.

“All of our officers responded heroically that day and both Steve and Mike ran towards the incident without hesitation, putting their lives at risk. They are both proud officers, and we in turn are very proud of them being recognised with the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.”

He added: “PC Randall’s actions that day undoubtedly saved the life of that young man, and spared another victim of this awful incident. The manner in which he risked his own safety is deserving of recognition in the form of the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.

“Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives.”

NCA officers Joel Andrews and Glenn Carr received the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery for “taking action likely to have prevented death or serious injury”.

The two officers were deployed on a “unique NCA operation” into suspects known to have access to guns and histories of violence on August 18, 2018.

As a surveillance team watched the two main suspects enter an industrial unit in Hailsham, east Sussex, they heard two loud bangs, leading armed officers to move in to make arrests, since it was assessed that both were likely to be in the possession of firearms.

Both suspects attempted to escape the scene, each running in a different direction.

Officer Andrews, who was on his first ever deployment as an armed officer, pursued one of them towards a cul-de-sac containing business units, and activated his Taser to bring the suspect to the ground, where he was detained.

The subject was subsequently found to have a gun and ammunition; CCTV showing him removing the firearm from the waistband of his shorts during the pursuit.

Officer Andrews recalls: “As soon as I confronted him it was clear from his body language that he intended to run. The decision to pursue was instinctive and it’s something we train for regularly.

“I was aware that the subject was more than likely armed, but as firearms officers it’s our job to put ourselves between the public and an armed threat.

“This was an industrial estate on a Saturday afternoon and one of my concerns was an accidental confrontation between the subject and a member of the public who might have been visiting the units nearby.”

As the second suspect fled from pursuing officers, Officer Carr, an armed motorbike surveillance officer, moved to block his path.

The last officer between the man and a possible escape, and without time to access his firearm or Taser, Officer Carr put out his right leg. This brought down the suspect, who was immediately arrested, and found to be in possession of a gun.

He said: “As a motorcyclist, I had a specific role as more or less the last line of defence.

“I saw there was a pathway that was an escape route, even if that was unlikely. So I made a conscious decision to cover it. That unlikely possibility turned into reality.

“The whole thing didn’t take more than ten seconds. I saw that my colleagues were carrying lots of kit, while the subject was in trainers and summer clothing, so I considered that if he gets past me he’s escaped, and then he’s potentially into contact with members of the public where anything can happen.

“So I thought ‘what can I do to stop him but not cause major harm’, and that was try to kick him to take him off balance.”

Officer Carr’s actions came at a personal cost, as the impact of tripping the suspect caused him to fall from his motorcycle; breaking his leg.

He said: “I was moving at 10-15 mph on the bike, and the impact of hitting his leg at that speed was what broke mine. The bike fell to the left and I went right.

“As a firearms officer, you’re expected to go the extra mile to meet the threat that’s facing you. However, it’s fair to say that kicking someone from a motorbike isn’t part of your training.”

It was three months before he was able to walk properly again.

The NCA investigation into the suspected firearms factory uncovered “industrial scale criminality” taking place at the site. Fifteen viable firearms were seized, with a further 122 firearms that were in the process of being manufactured also recovered.

Two men were later convicted of conspiring to supply firearms and were sentenced to a combined 29 years and six months in prison.

NCA Director-General, Dame Lynne Owens, said: “This was a unique operation; the first time any UK law enforcement agency had found an illegal gun factory of this type. In a dangerous situation Glenn and Joel put their own lives at risk to ensure these suspects were arrested and the public protected.

“Our investigations later revealed that one of the firearms linked to the factory was used in an attempted murder, so it is clear the weapons being produced at the site could have caused significant further harm in criminal circulation.

“The courage and quick-thinking of Glenn and Joe fully merits the national recognition conferred by the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery. They exemplify the determination of NCA officers to selflessly confront the threat from serious and organised crime.”

Officer Carr said: “I am delighted to receive an award of such high merit. Law enforcement colleagues throughout this country place themselves in danger on a regular basis to protect others from harm so to be recognised for this is very humbling. I am proud to be the recipient.”

Officer Andrews added: “I was completely bowled over when I received my letter and it was only after reading it twice that the significance of the award became clear to me.

“I am truly pleased to even be considered alongside some of the previous recipients. My wife is very proud but I still haven’t told the wider family so this will hopefully be a nice surprise for them.

“I am also grateful for the opportunity to highlight the work of my NCA colleagues in successfully shutting down an illegal firearms factory that presented a huge risk to the public.”