A reminder that although the police often come in for deserved criticism, there are some who are truly heroic.
On 13 June 2024, PC Rhona Adams responded alone to what was initially reported as a high-risk missing person case. The woman at the centre of the report had made threats to end her life by setting herself on fire. What PC Adams encountered, however, was far more harrowing than anyone could have foreseen.
In the heart of a bustling fast-food restaurant, packed with families and young children, flames were pouring from a disabled toilet. Inside, the woman had already followed through on her threats, she was ablaze.
Without flame-retardant clothing, a fire blanket, or even a moment’s hesitation, PC Adams made the split-second decision to act. With no thought for her own safety, she ran into the fire. Using only her bare hands, she threw herself onto the woman, smothering the flames.
Even as the intensity of the moment raged around her, PC Adams remained calm and focused. She directed a member of staff to fetch a fire extinguisher, using it quickly and effectively to put out the remaining flames. In doing so, she not only saved the woman’s life but also likely prevented a devastating fire from spreading throughout the restaurant, potentially injuring or killing many more people.
The woman survived, albeit with serious burns. It’s no exaggeration to say that without PC Adams’ extraordinary actions, the outcome could have been far worse. For this act of courage, she has been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025, a recognition she richly deserves.
This story is more than a police incident, it is a portrait of raw human bravery. Of compassion. Of instinctive self-sacrifice. Whether or not one supports the police institutionally, the heroism displayed here cannot be denied. PC Adams’ actions remind us what policing can be at its very best.
More Examples of Police Bravery
PC Adams’ actions are remarkable, but not unique. Across the country, police officers continue to put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, often at great personal risk.
- PC Andrew Harper
In August 2019, 28-year-old PC Harper responded to a burglary in Berkshire. During the pursuit of suspects, he was fatally dragged behind a getaway vehicle. Though he paid the ultimate price, PC Harper’s courage and dedication are still remembered across the UK. He was posthumously awarded the Thames Valley Police Federation Bravery Award. - PC Mohammed Nadeem
In 2022, PC Nadeem ran into a burning building in Manchester to rescue a family trapped inside. Without waiting for fire services, and despite thick smoke and intense heat, he led two children and their mother to safety. His actions were described as “heroic beyond expectation”. - PC Mick Johnson and PC Sarah Dakin
In 2023, while on routine patrol in Sheffield, these two officers came across a violent domestic incident. The attacker, armed with a machete, had already injured two people. Without waiting for armed support, they confronted the suspect, using only their batons and PAVA spray to disarm and arrest him—preventing further harm. - PC Leon McLeod
A first responder to the 2017 London Bridge terrorist attack, PC McLeod gave life-saving first aid to victims while the attackers were still at large. His bravery, composure, and commitment to the injured were widely praised, and he was later awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.
These stories, like PC Adams’s, are not about hero worship. They are reminders of what it means to serve. They speak to a deeper truth: that the badge is more than a uniform. It’s a symbol of duty, of risk, and often, of quiet acts of heroism carried out in the darkest of moments.
The Heart of Policing
No institution is above scrutiny, but individual officers often face unimaginable decisions and make them with humanity, bravery, and care.
If PC Rhona Adams’ story moved you, share it. Speak of it. Let it stand as a reminder of the risks police officers are willing to take for complete strangers, for people they’ve never met and may never see again.
For support with mental health or suicidal thoughts, please reach out to local services such as Samaritans (116 123, UK) or other helplines in your region. Help is always available.
