Brave Officers Storm Church to Stop Killer
On 15 October 2021, police raced to a stabbing at a Leigh-on-Sea church. PC Ryan Curtis and PC Scott James, unarmed, were first on the scene. They found panicked crowds fleeing as a suspect armed with a knife awaited inside.
Fearless Officers Enter Armed and Alone
Despite waiting for a Taser unit, the pair were told the attacker was still inside, posing a threat. Without hesitation, Curtis and James plunged into the church. They confronted the knife-wielding suspect, shouting for him to drop the weapon and urging the public to leave.
The suspect advanced toward them, but the officers held their ground. Their calm, firm commands eventually forced the attacker to drop the knife. They quickly tackled and handcuffed him, arresting him on suspicion of murder.
Emergency Teams Tried to Save MP Sir David Amess
Officers Insp Andrew Jopson, Sgt Jonathan Main, PC Daniel Smy, PC L’Wren Bremer, and PC Lily Wellington arrived minutes later. They found the stabbing victim – MP Sir David Amess – seriously injured.
Together with paramedics and helicopter medics, the officers worked tirelessly for nearly an hour to save him. Sadly, Sir David died at the scene.
Heroes Who Faced Danger Head-On
PC James recalled: “One minute we were doing a routine arrest, the next we were rushing to a church knowing a knife suspect was inside.”
PC Curtis added: “We wanted to stop anyone else from being seriously hurt. There was no time to think.”
Insp Jopson praised the team: “Some had less than two years on the job but stepped straight into one of the UK’s most high-profile incidents. Their response was incredible.”
Essex Police Federation Chair Laura Heggie said: “Ryan, Scott, Andrew, James, Daniel, L’Wren, and Lily showed bravery and compassion under intense pressure. They ran towards danger when others would run away.”
Justice and Honours
In April 2022, Ali Harbi Ali received a whole-life sentence for murdering Sir David Amess MP. PC Curtis and PC James were awarded the Essex Police Merit Star for their courage. The heroic team will be honoured at the Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards on 26 May.
