PC Jamie Walker receives top Bravery Award for daring ice rescue at Silverwood Nature Reserve

PC Jamie Walker has been recognised with a South Yorkshire Police Federation Bravery Award for his actions at Silverwood Nature Reserve last December.

The officer leapt into action on a freezing day when he saw someone waving for help in the distance while on off-road motorbike duty.

He recalled the figure was so far off he could not hear what they were saying, but he knew help was needed.

When he rushed down to the waterside, PC Walker (pictured, above) saw a woman several metres out in the water.

Without a thought for his own wellbeing, he rushed in to help her retrieve her two stricken pugs who had broken through the ice.

PC Walker waded into the lake up to his waist and grabbed one of two dogs that was frantically treading water in a hole in the ice before going back to help the lady who was holding the other dog.

“My first thought was that somebody was in trouble in the water, so I rode up as fast as I could, dropped the bike on the ground and I ran up to the lakeside,” said the officer.

“It was at that point then that I realised that she was trying to rescue the dog.

“The ice was quite thick and I had to crunch it to get through. One of the pugs was underwater and I knew I had to help her.

“She was so concerned about the dogs and I’m a dog lover, so you just do what you think is the right thing at the time.”

The water was “horrendously” cold, said PC Walker, who was wearing full motorbike kit, boots, body armour, plastic knee pads, and thermals, which made the return to shore a struggle.

The officer returned to work, finishing the remaining five hours of his shift in wet boots and trousers.

He said it was “lovely” to get the award, “especially when I think of all my colleagues out there doing brave things all the time”.

The officer added: “I’m very grateful to the Federation for nominating me.”

Steve Kent, chair of South Yorkshire Police Federation praised PC Walker’s selflessness on such a cold, midwinter day.

“As police officers, we are expected to protect life and limb,” he said.

“It takes a lot to wade into a freezing cold lake, especially given that cold water shock can be so perilous.

“This was a kind and courageous act, and the public should be grateful for officers like Jamie who step up where others would not.”

PC Walker picked up his award at South Yorkshire Police Federation Bravery Awards last week.