Three exceptional police officers have been recognized as the bravest in the country for their courageous actions in stopping Axel Rudakubana’s horrific killing spree in Southport. Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, Constable Luke Holden, and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Timothy Parry were the first to arrive at a scene of “unimaginable horror” last summer.
Confronting Terror with Limited Resources
Armed with only a baton and a Taser, the officers confronted 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana at the top of the stairs, where he stood with a large, blood-soaked knife. He had just rampaged through a Taylor Swift-themed holiday dance class, murdering Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9; Bebe King, 6; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7. Ten others, including eight children, were injured in the attack. The presiding judge at Rudakubana’s trial commended the officers’ “brave” actions, stating they stopped the “crazed knifeman” before he could inflict further harm.
National Recognition and Eyewitness Accounts
The Merseyside Police officers were declared the “overall winners” of the Police Federation of England and Wales’ (PFEW) 2025 bravery awards, marking the 30th such ceremony. On the eve of the awards, they spoke for the first time about the “terror” they witnessed, with this news coinciding with the start of a public inquiry into the murders.
The call came in at midday on July 29, 2024, reporting a male attacking children with a knife on Hart Street, Southport. Sergeant Gillespie, who was handling a separate case, immediately headed to the scene alone. Constable Holden and PCSO Parry, who were at the station, followed just 30 seconds behind.
A Scene of Chaos and Courage
Sergeant Gillespie was the first to arrive, describing “chaos” with “extremely panicked” people in the street. Members of the public were arming themselves with makeshift weapons, while others fled the dance studio carrying young children. He saw a seriously injured child and urgently requested further patrols, directing a paramedic to assist the child.
He recounted to Sky News: “There was maybe 20 or 25 adults and all of them were looking at me, all of them have this look of terror and fear, panic on their faces and I knew whatever it was we were turning up to was really, really bad.”
Constable Holden observed “a large puddle of blood on the floor outside the door” and recalled Sergeant Gillespie simply asking, “Are you ready?” to which he replied, “Yeah, let’s go.” PCSO Parry, who is unarmed without a baton or pepper spray, strategically went to the back of the building to prevent further entry, offer aid, and gather information. He described it as a “horrific scene” for which he was “so unprepared with the equipment I had.”
The Confrontation
Upon reaching the shattered glass-panelled door, Sergeant Gillespie drew his baton, and Constable Holden deployed his Taser before they entered, with unarmed PCSO Parry covering the exit. At the top of the stairs, they faced Rudakubana, clutching a large, bloodied knife.
Constable Holden stated: “I identified the suspect at the top of the stairs, bloodied knife in his hand. So I thought; ‘hmmm, this is going to go two ways; he is going to listen to us or he’s going to fight with us and try and stab us’. So me and Greg formed a solid wall with our shoulders walking up the stairs so he couldn’t get past us.”
Sergeant Gillespie added: “I saw him, made eye contact with him, saw his facial expression, saw his body language and the way he moved himself into a position at the top of the stairs, showing us he had a knife.” As they approached, passing another seriously injured child, they shouted at him to drop the knife. PCSO Parry also rushed in to assist.
Sergeant Gillespie concluded: “I think the second he realised he was looking at two people who weren’t scared of him, who were going to attack him, all that bravery that he must have summoned up to attack defenceless children, he lost that straightaway, and he threw down the knife.”
Aftermath and Lasting Impact
PCSO Parry, driven by “pure adrenaline,” rushed in to ensure the safety of his colleagues. The killer was handcuffed and arrested after the trio used a baton and kicks to subdue him. The officers then instructed members of the public to provide first aid and continued to search the premises for injured persons or other suspects.
They discovered another seriously injured young child in a room behind where the suspect was detained, and in a separate room, a young girl and adult female hiding. A group of males, all trembling with fear and one with a stab wound to his leg, were also found and guided to safety. By this time, more officers and paramedics had arrived.
Rudakubana was sentenced to life in January this year, with a minimum of 52 years, for what was described as a “pre-meditated attempt to commit indiscriminate mass murder.” Mr. Justice Goose stated: “In his mind was an intention to murder as many of them as he possibly could. He wanted to carry out mass murder on innocent, happy young girls.”
Chris McGlade, Merseyside Police Federation Chair, commended their actions: “Without hesitation, they prioritised public safety and demonstrated the highest levels of bravery.” Chief Constable Serena Kennedy KPM echoed these sentiments, expressing immense pride in the officers’ courage, professionalism, and swift actions in such “horrendous circumstances.” She added that their thoughts remain with the victims, their families, and all those affected by the “appalling attack,” acknowledging the immense challenge it posed for Merseyside Police.
