Sergeant who saved woman from drowning honoured
BBCA police sergeant who was praised for risking his own life to help save a woman from drowning said it was "very humbling" to be recognised at a special ceremony.
Sgt Dave Hicks was among dozens of emergency service workers and volunteers honoured at a ceremony in Liverpool Parish Church.
Merseyside Police said it was an "extraordinary act of bravery" for Sgt Hicks to rescue the woman in Liverpool Bay on 17 August 2024 and his actions "undoubtedly saved her life".
A search rescue dog, who helped in the aftermath of the earthquakes in Venezuela earlier this year, was also among those praised at the ceremony for acts of bravery.
Hicks, who has worked for Merseyside Police for 22 years, went to Leasowe lighthouse after a report came in of two people in difficulty in Liverpool Bay.
After making sure the first casualty got out the water safely, he ran 500m (0.3miles) to locate the second person.
The woman was 150m offshore and struggling to stay afloat and in danger of drowning, police said.
Hicks told BBC Radio Merseyside he instinctively decided to enter the water so ditched his body armour and belt kit, while an "outstanding" member of the public offered to go with him.
The pair battled strong currents to reach the unconscious woman who he said "by this point was pretty much submerged under the water".
When they secured her on a life ring they swam back to shore, he said.
Hicks recalled his "massive relief when I heard her take a breath".
He praised the member of the public who volunteered to help him for his "courage and bravery", adding they "lived to tell the tale".
Hicks said after a few days in hospital, the woman made a full recovery.
Police said: "His actions undoubtedly saved her life.
"This was an extraordinary act of bravery, demonstrating leadership, resilience and selflessness.
"Sergeant Hicks risked his own life to protect another, embodying the very best of Merseyside Police and the values our communities expect from their officers."
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service's (MFRS) cocker spaniel Scout who specialises in finding missing people in collapsed buildings featured in the service along with his handler Niamh Darcy were recognised on Wednesday for National Emergency Services Day too.
The pair faced arguably their biggest and most dangerous mission together, when they were deployed to assist with the rescue efforts in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes in Venezuela in June.
Darcy said during a search in Venezuela Scout slipped his harness and continued searching for life alone.
She said it was a "surreal" and "nerve-wracking moment".
She said as well as bravery it was "keeping calm when others around you were looking desperately for answers".
It also showed "leading by example and not only just walking into the darkness but doing small atomic efforts that can make everyone feel a sense of hope".
Darcy, who has been teamed up with Scout at MFRS for seven years, said she loved being his partner, adding: "It is a very rewarding role."
She said: "What dogs do for us and their acts of bravery - we interpret as brave but they interpreted as a game.
"For them they are just seeking odour and bringing us copious hopes that we need in very, very, devastating times."
Lord Mayor, councillor William Shortall, who attended the ceremony said: "The emergency services represent some of the very best values of our communities: service, integrity, teamwork, and selflessness.
"Their work reminds us that courage is not measured by recognition or reward, but by a commitment to helping others."
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