July 19, 2019 12.01 pm This story is over 65 months old

Bravery award for officer who caught man shooting at him and police dog

Joshua Murray was jailed for nine years

PC Ian Sweeney. Photo: Humberside Police

A Humberside Police Officer has received a bravery award after disarming and catching an offender who repeatedly shot him and his police dog with a gas-powered pellet gun.

As previously reported, Joshua Murray was jailed for nine years for attacking a police dog handler and dog while armed with a machete and gas-powered ball-bearing gun in Grimsby on March 12, 2018.

Joshua Murray has been jailed for nine years for attacking a police dog handler and dog. Photo: Humberside Police

PC Ian Sweeney and his dog PD Logan were injured as they went to the aid of Murray’s elderly former housemate, who had been attacked with a knife. He had returned to his former home and hidden there while his 68-year-old victim was out before chasing him and stabbing him.

They found him drinking at a friend’s house when he ran off, causing PC Sweeney and PD Logan to chase him. The man drew a pistol and shot the dog in the head before struggling with the officer, who he also shot with the gas-powered pellet gun.

PC Ian Sweeney and his dog PD Logan. Photo: Humberside Police

PC Sweeney was shot three times in the face, once in the shoulder and once in the leg. PD Logan was shot in the mouth and nose three times, suffering puncture wounds.

Despite this and the man still having a weapon, PC Sweeney continued to tackle the man who was arrested soon after for multiple offences. PC Sweeney then tended to the dog’s injuries before getting treatment himself.

Police Dog Logan. Photo: Humberside Police

PC Sweeney won a prestigious Police Bravery Award on Thursday night at the 24th national Police Bravery Awards. He was named as the Region 2 (North East) winner.

He said: “I wasn’t expecting to win, I wasn’t expecting to come close. Obviously half of this (award) is Logan’s because without him I wouldn’t be here, it’s absolutely unbelievable.”

The force added: “From all of us at Humberside Police we thank him for his bravery and congratulate him on his well-deserved award.”