TRAFFIC cop Gavin Blease dismisses suggestions that he acted heroically as he wrestled with a gunman who had already opened fire.
"I don't think it was anything exceptional," says Pc Blease, describing how the drama began after a routine decision to question a man acting suspiciously.
"We approach people on these kinds of cold stops unarmed all the time. Knives are in abundance and guns are more prevalent, but it's just what police do."
In those words, he sums up eloquently why our police officers are heroes.
Day in, day out they put themselves in situations in which danger can appear suddenly and without warning.
Thankfully, guns are fired or knives are thrust in very few instances.
But police officers can never be sure that they will not face violence when they approach those they suspect may be up to no good.
And they do so to try to ensure that our streets are safe.
We owe a huge debt to Pc Blease, his colleague Pc Richard Cundy and everyone like them for putting their lives on the line for the rest of us.