Two officers praised for bravery after rescuing elderly man from flooded home

Two police officers based in Melton have been praised for their actions after rescuing an elderly man from his flooded front room while out on patrol last year.

PC Dan Daley and Sergeant Jon Martin were on patrol when a storm and significant rainfall led to the worse flooding Bottesford had seen in recent history.

The officers were responding to a call from a neighbour of an elderly gentleman with dementia who was confused and trapped in his house due to flooding. He was sat in a foot of freezing water watching television and needed to be evacuated from the building.

PC Daley and Sergeant Martin initially helped to support the gentleman and eventually transported him to a care home. PC Daley even gave the gentleman his own work boots to help him safely exit the building.

PC Dan Daley, Chief Superintendent Emma Maxwell and Sergeant Jon Martin. Photo: Leicestershire Police

During the rescue they were observed by an off-duty Chief Inspector from neighbouring Nottinghamshire Police who was impressed with the duo and wrote to their Inspector to praise them.

In the letter the unnamed Chief Inspector wrote: "I was off duty that day and helping neighbours who were flooded. Your officers were called to assist us and the local authority.

Your officers were professional, helpful and compassionate and are a real credit to your force and our service. Please pass on my thanks to them.”

In recognition of their actions, PC Dan Daley and Sergeant Jon Martin were presented with a Chief Superintendent’s Award for Outstanding Work, presented by Chief Superintendent Emma Maxwell.

Inspector Darren Richardson of Melton Police said; “ Not much more can be added to this accreditation from a neighbouring force, apart from thanks to the swift actions of these officers, the gentleman was safely removed from the building. They ensured his well-being by collecting some of his clothing and arranged emergency accommodation for him.”

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police added: "Congratulations to PC Dan Daley and Sergeant Jon Martin on your award  for your kind and heroic actions rescuing an elderly gentleman during the worse flooding Bottesford has ever seen."