Sgt Andrew Hogan-Hughes, PC Martin Green and PC Luci Williams
A police officer suffered burns to his arm and head after running into a house fire because it was believed a child might be in the building.
Sergeant Andrew Hogan-Hughes and colleagues PC Martin Green and PC Luci Williams have now been nominated in the Uniformed Hero category of the Your Heroes Awards in recognition of their bravery.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: “Just after 3am on Saturday June 14, 2025 PCs Green and Williams were on mobile uniformed patrol together in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent when they came across a house that was well ablaze. They were shortly joined by Sgt Hogan-Hughes.
“In keeping with the core policing principle to preserve life, the officers acted quickly, bravely and selflessly.
“PCs Green and Williams worked swiftly to evacuate the burning building, and due to the severity of the blaze, the neighbouring properties too.
“With the people evacuated showing confusion around who was safe and who was unaccounted for, there was initial uncertainty about whether a child might still be in the building.
“Without consideration for his own safety, Sgt Hogan-Hughes ran into the burning building, going upstairs to the worst affected area of the house to search for anyone remaining inside. He was eventually beaten back by the flames and searing heat.
“Thankfully everyone had in fact been successfully evacuated as a result of the quick actions of the officers.
“As a result of their brave actions PCs Green and Williams had to receive treatment for smoke inhalation. Sgt Hogan-Hughes sustained burns to his arm and head when he bravely rushed upstairs. Thankfully all three officers made a swift and full recovery.”
PC Bethany Cottrell and PC Natalie Millward
PCs Bethany Cottrell and Natalie Millward have been commended for their extraordinary courage during one of the most violent protests seen in Stoke-on-Trent in a generation, including running towards and disarming protestors wielding gardening forks, baseball bats and timber.
They were ambushed by people who launched fireworks and masonry and, unlike colleagues, were without protective equipment.
The PCs, known as Beth and Nat, have been nominated in the Uniformed Hero category of the Your Heroes Awards by Staffordshire Police.
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: “Their extraordinary courage, resilience and selflessness were demonstrated during one of the most violent protests seen in Stoke-on-Trent in a generation. On August 3, 2024 a protest took place in Hanley City Centre following the tragic murders of three young children in Southport.
“The demonstration, initially organised in solidarity with the victims, their families and their communities, soon became volatile. Beth and Nat, performing the role of Police Liaison Officers, began their duty at 8am by engaging protestors at a local public house. In an unprecedented situation, rival Stoke City and Port Vale supporters united for a common cause.
“Over the next two hours, the officers-built rapport and established trust—relationships that would prove vital in maintaining order as tensions escalated. At 11.30am the crowd, 100+ strong, marched towards Shelton, a predominantly Muslim-populated area. Recognising the risks, Commanders ordered officers to form a police cordon to prevent the group’s entry.
“Incensed, the crowd grew in numbers and hostility, shouting racist chants and pushing against the police line. Beth and Nat bravely positioned themselves between the officers and the enraged crowd, using their established connections to calm tensions and reduce conflict, despite being subjected to extreme verbal abuse and threats.
“As the crowd returned to Hanley, their aggression turned toward a counter-protest group. Again, Beth and Nat played a pivotal role in defusing hostility, demonstrating exceptional empathy, listening and diplomacy.
“At 12:30 misinformation spread through the crowd, prompting protestors to move towards a nearby public park. Upon reaching the top of Town Road they were ambushed by members of a mosque, who launched fireworks and masonry at both officers and protestors. Unlike their public order colleagues, Beth and Nat were without protective equipment, exposed to direct harm.
“Undeterred, they ran towards armed individuals wielding gardening forks, baseball bats, and timber—physically disarming them in a direct act of bravery. Recognising the increasing danger, the Commander ordered their withdrawal due to their lack of protective gear.
“However, rather than seeking safety, Beth and Nat voluntarily assumed new roles to continue assisting their colleagues. Beth, already trained in public order policing, changed into protective gear and immediately re-joined the frontlines. Over the next four hours she stood firm amidst escalating violence, where knives and machetes were used. Nat became a welfare officer, distributing bottles of water to exhausted officers battling to maintain control.
“Both officers epitomise what it means to serve in uniform. Their unwavering courage and selflessness minimised violence and prevented serious injury to countless individuals. In the face of extraordinary danger, they sacrificed their own safety to protect others.”
Laszlo Illes
When recently qualified firefighter Laszlo Illes was involved in a serious road traffic collision while off duty he put his newly acquired first aid skills to the test.
The 41-year-old, who is stationed in Burton-on-Trent, helped a driver trapped in his vehicle and kept him calm despite a large crowd gathering around the scene.
Laszlo, who had only been in post for six months when the incident happened in June of this year, has now been nominated in the Uniformed Hero category of the Your Heroes Awards by Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Laszlo was driving and his mother-in-law was a passenger when their vehicle was shunted at speed following a collision between two other vehicles. One of the vehicles left the scene and the driver of the other vehicle was trapped.
Laszlo ensured his mother-in-law’s wellbeing before entering the other car to give first aid and support to the driver.
Laszlo carried out a medical survey of the driver who had a suspected broken arm, chest pains, had diabetes and was drifting in and out of consciousness. Laszlo kept him safe and reassured despite a crowd gathering around the car, filming and being obstructive.
When Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene Laszlo gave the Watch Manager a thorough handover and update on the driver. Police or Ambulance had not yet reached the scene and there was a crew of just four firefighters on the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue appliance.
Laszlo offered to stay and help look after the driver whilst the Watch Manager put the extrication plan in to action. Laszlo stayed on the scene for some time whilst the casualty was extricated and waited for additional support.
Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber said: “Laszlo acted bravely and professionally throughout and put his new-found medical skills and knowledge to good use, even though he had himself been unfortunately involved in the collision.
“His actions demonstrated a commitment to support his community under some very difficult circumstances, and he went above and beyond the expectations of any member of the public who had been involved in such a serious collision.”
Laszlo said: “I love my job because it gives me the chance to do really positive things in the community, plus every day is different.
“On this day I was basically just putting my training into practice to make sure that everything and everyone was fine. My own car was written off but cars can be replaced and I was just happy to be on the scene and help.”
Derek Dawson
Derek Dawson has given decades of service to Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and in his latest role leads a team of volunteers that provide a ceremonial presence at events and offer support to grieving families.
The 77-yeara-old, from Barlaston, joined the City of Stoke-on-Trent Fire Brigade in June 1973 as a retained firefighter at Longton Fire Station.
He retired from operational duty in 1993 and returned a decade later as Head of the Service Ceremonial Squad, which now is comprised of eight volunteers. Amongst his responsibilities are duties at long service and good conduct awards plus events at the National Memorial Arboretum and the cenotaph.
Derek attends and assists with the arrangements for the funerals of fire service personnel. When families request the attendance of the Ceremonial Squad, Derek as the Service Liaison Officer is a key part of a process that includes communicating with and supporting the family of the bereaved. He is often a huge comfort to those who are grieving.
Derek has a reputation for his understanding and empathetic personality and for the support he and his team provide at the most difficult of times. He has carried out his duties whilst batting serious illness and health issues himself.
Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber KFSM has nominated Derek in the Uniformed Hero category of the Your Heroes Awards.
He said: “Derek puts so much time, energy and effort into providing this service – I find it inspirational.
“Derek has continued to deliver the highest levels of service to his role and is a credit to the Fire and Rescue Service. He demonstrates everything that Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is all about.”
Derek said: “I’ve always loved my time with the Fire and Rescue Service and whilst my current role is mainly carried out in Staffordshire I can be all over the UK too.
“It makes me proud that me and the team are there when we are needed the most. It’s really humbling to know that so many people have sent in letters and emails stating the impact that we have had and how funerals have been made so much more memorable through the arrangements that we have made”.
Firefighters Louise Ball and Ben Kelly
A woman’s life was saved by the quick actions of two North Staffordshire firefighters who noticed she was looking to jump from a bridge or run into oncoming traffic.
Firefighters Louise Ball and Ben Kelly have been nominated in the Uniformed Hero category of the Your Heroes Awards by Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service in recognition of their quick thinking, fast actions and bravery.
Louise and Ben are both stationed with Green Watch in Hanley and were returning from an operational incident along the A500. As they neared the Shelton New Road bridge they noticed a woman on the bridge and sensed she was in danger.
Ben spotted her in distress, insisted she was trying to jump and that they needed to go and check on her welfare. Louise and Ben quickly dismounted the appliance and ran to her aid. They mounted the barrier on either side of her and prevented her from moving whilst comforting her and talking her down from her distress. During this time the police and ambulance were requested.
The incident came to a safe conclusion with the woman encouraged to move back to the safe side of the bridge. She was then taken by police car to Hanley Police and Fire station to see the on-duty mental health nurse.
Rob Barber said: “Our team did the right thing under very testing conditions and this truly shows what great people we have working in our emergency services.”
Ben said: “There’s no other job like being a firefighter. I get huge job satisfaction from what I do. I have wanted to be a firefighter since I was aged four and I’ve never really thought about having any other job since then. Every day is different and it’s fantastic to be working with Louise and the rest of the team.
“On that day back in November we were on our way back from a call out to a car fire on the M6. Sometimes you get an uneasy feeling and instinct when you see something and so when I saw the lady I thought that it didn’t seem quite right. I had a horrible feeling about what could happen.
“It’s then when your training kicks in as you don’t have a lot of time to think about what you will do or say and to build up trust. Me and Louise managed to get either side of her and spoke to her calmly until the situation reached a positive conclusion.”
Colin Oliver
An ambulance technician has been honoured for stepping in to stop a man who was damaging the A&E Department at Queens Hospital in Burton.
West Midlands Ambulance Service employee Colin Oliver, aged 60, who is based at Lichfield Hub, took action when the patient got off his bed in the resuscitation area and started causing damage and potentially putting both hospital and ambulance staff as well as other patients at risk.
The incident, which happened in September 2025, happened just after Colin had brought in his patient. As he was about to start preparing for his next patient he heard a disturbance and quickly realised that a patient was smashing the A&E doors with an oxygen bottle. Not only was it causing damage to the doors but there was a real risk of it breaking the pressurised cylinder.
Colin took the man down to the floor in a rugby-style tackle, which allowed other staff in the A&E Department to restrain the patient. Police attended and arrested the man.
Wendy Hands, Senior Operations Manager at the Lichfield Ambulance Hub, said: “We are all extremely proud and deeply grateful for the quick-thinking actions of Oliver on the day in question. His bravery and decisiveness prevented serious harm to staff and patients within the department and also averted further damage to the hospital itself.
“Despite knowing the potential risk of injury to himself, given that the patient was armed, Oliver acted selflessly and with unwavering commitment to the safety of others. His courage and dedication are truly commendable, and I am incredibly proud to have him as part of our team at the Lichfield Hub.”
Colin Oliver has been nominated in the Uniformed Hero category of the Your Heroes Awards.