Bravery acknowledged

Sergeant Dean Holmes receiving a bravery award from Assistant Commissioner Central Region Clem O’Regan.

Two Noosa police officers were presented with Queensland Police Bravery medals last week for their actions in 2014 taking into custody an armed man without anyone being harmed.

Senior sergeant Ben Carroll said the extraordinary event in November 2014 began for senior constable Adam Tickner and sergeant Dean Holmes when they were called to a serious assault. The officers found a woman with serious injuries and set about trying to find the man who had inflicted them.

Snr sgt Carroll said a television cameraman became caught up in the drama when he crossed paths with the assailant who stole his car at gunpoint.The event came to a head at the petrol station on Eumundi-Noosa Road, Doonan, after the man crashed at high speed into a gas tank.

When it didn’t ignite he went looking for a cigarette lighter at the store but the quick-thinking attendant locked the doors.

Snr sgt Carroll said the officers were able to talk the man down and take him into custody. The gun was later found to be a replica pistol.

Assistant Commissioner Clem O’Regan and Superintendent Darryl Johnson congratulated the officers who were among 85 officers, staff and residents to be recognised for their “outstanding commitment to serve the Queensland community”.

Sgt Holmes, snr Const Tickner along with senior constable Peter Low, senior constable Michael Grigalius and Peter Steer were acknowledged for their bravery in the incident.