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Fallen police officers among Brave@Heart Award
winners
Two police officers killed in the line of duty have been honoured
with posthumous Brave@Heart Awards by the First Minister.
Constable George Taylor was murdered in 1976 after two restricted
patients absconded from the State Hospital in Carstairs.
Detective Sergeant Ross Hunt was killed in 1983 in South
Lanarkshire as he investigated a knife attack.
The officers are among 24 members of the emergency services and
the public to receive Brave@Heart Awards this year.
The awards recognise acts of bravery and heroism across Scotland,
with nominations made by the emergency services, and winners
selected by an independent validation panel. Four of this year’s
winners also received the St Andrew’s Award for acts of
exceptional bravery.
Brave@Heart award winners include two supermarket workers who
tackled a knife-wielding attacker, two schoolboys whose quick
thinking saved the day when members of their families suffered
medical emergencies, and an off-duty firefighter who entered a
burning block of flats and led residents to safety.
First Minister , who presented the awards at a
ceremony in Edinburgh Castle, said:
“The courage and heroism shown by the award-winners is truly
humbling. In every case, they didn’t hesitate to act when it came
to helping others.
“I was particularly honoured to present posthumous Brave@Heart
Awards to the families of Constable Taylor and Detective Sergeant
Hunt.
"These officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect other
people and, tragically, they paid with their lives.
“They are true heroes whose bravery and sacrifice has been
overlooked for far too long. I also commend the courage and
determination of the families and colleagues who have campaigned
over the years for the officers’ heroism to be properly
recognised.”
Brave@Heart Validation Panel Chair David Garbutt said:
“It has been a privilege and an honour to chair the panel
considering the nominations for these awards, recognising the
fantastic achievements of people throughout Scotland who have
shown courage and selflessness in helping others and keeping
our communities safe.”
Background
Brave@Heart and the St Andrew’s Award were introduced in 2010.
Brave@Heart is recognition of bravery displayed by emergency
service personnel or members of the public that have assisted
them. The St Andrew’s Award is for exceptional acts of bravery.
The first annual reception was held in June 2010.
A list of Brave@Heart Award recipients and citation summaries is
attached.
