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A fearless police officer who cared for a psychotic drug taker who stabbed him multiple times has been nominated for a bravery award.
PC Daniel Stride was called to a reported burglary at a flat in Singleton, Ashford, when the resident attacked him.
The terrifying moment Sean Higgins tries to stab PC Stride. Video: Kent Police
The dramatic incident happened in July 2018 when PC Stride was called to assist Sean Higgins, who insisted his home was being broken into.
Ironically, the pair had known each other from childhood and had lived on the same street so PC Stride rang his brother who said that Higgins suffered from mental health issues including psychosis, and that he was using cocaine.
After Higgins, 40, confirmed he was on drugs, another officer - PC Krzysztof Maciolek - left the flat to phone for an ambulance, while PC Stride took Higgins to his bedroom.
But the groundworker became increasingly erratic and paranoid, pulling a large kitchen knife from his bedside drawer and launching an attack on the officer.
In the melee, which lasted for two minutes, PC Stride was stabbed twice in the chest, the knife just catching his body armour.
After pushing the weapon away, the married officer was forced to grab the blade when Higgins aimed it at his thigh, cutting his fingers as he pinned the knife and the assailant to the bed.
Thankfully, the brave officer managed to pry the knife away before his partner came back and helped him get Higgins under control.
The assailant was severely out of breath and despite the fact he had tried to harm him, the PC still gave him first aid care.
Higgins, of Bradbridge Green, Singleton, was jailed for nine years last May with an extended sentence of three years on licence for attempted GBH with intent, having previously been convicted on the same charge in 2003.
PC Stride said: "I only did what any police officer would do in the same circumstances, but it does go to show the kinds of incidents we have to go through in the line of duty.
“When the guy came for me with a knife, I had a million thoughts going through my mind – whether I’d survive the incident or not, and things like 'will I see my family again?' That was a big thought in my mind at the time.
“I felt two plunges into my stab vest on the upper chest – I was quite lucky because an inch higher and that could have been a fatal wound. It was a very serious situation.
"I only did what any police officer would do"
“I'm very honoured to receive the National Police Bravery Awards nomination for Kent.”
Kent Police Federation Chairman Neil Mennie described PC Stride as "a credit to policing".
He said: “All the way through this horrific incident, Daniel had one thought in his mind, the welfare of his assailant.
“That’s to his enormous credit. Daniel thought at one stage he was going to die, but he carried on, incredibly bravely getting Higgins under control and trying to stop him from harming himself.
“He showed not just policing skill but unbelievable courage and determination.
"He’s a credit to Kent Police and we are extremely proud of him.”
PC Stride has been nominated in the National Police Bravery Awards, which honour officers from across England and Wales who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.
As a nominee, he will attend a daytime reception and evening awards ceremony in London in July 2021.
The 2020 event – the 25th National Police Bravery Awards - had been scheduled to take place in the summer but had to be cancelled due to coronavirus.
