A British policeman has been hailed as a hero after helping to save the life of an American officer while on holiday in Nashville.
Off duty sergeant Taylor Johanson had just arrived in the Tennessee city when he saw local Officer Peter Kinsey being assaulted by a man on the side of the road.
The officer from Ashford, Kent, was driving down the I-440 exit ramp at around 8pm on May 7 in his rented Jeep Wrangler and immediately stopped to help.
He says that the American officer was being assaulted by a 43-year-old pedestrian, who even managed to grab the officer’s gun and fire a round while it was holstered.
Rushing into action, the Brit tackled the suspect and managed to keep him restrained until Officer Kinsey was able to taser and handcuff him.
“We had been out of the airport for about ten minutes,” said the 34-year-old Englishman. “As I was driving on the exit ramp I saw the police car parked up and could see two people fighting on the floor.”
“I stopped my car to see what was going on. The suspect was on top of the officer and he was head-butting him, punching him, biting him.”
He decided to jump on top of him and was able to pull him off and hold him down, while his girlfriend Emily, who is also a constable in England, called the local police and asked for backup.
“I hadn’t really thought about it to be honest. It was only really afterwards when I realized the gravity of what was going on,” Sgt. Johanson told SWNS news. “Natural instinct kicked in—and that fight or flight.”
Officer Kinsey reported he saw the pedestrian walking along the exit ramp and went to check on him after his commands to stop were ignored. But, as he approached, the stranger started to attack him, pinning the cop face-down for around six minutes in the “traumatic” ordeal.
Bodycam footage shows the tense struggle before Sgt. Johanson, who works in the Community Safety Unit with the Kent Police, runs in, asking ‘Are you okay?’”
And, Kinsey has credited Sgt. Johanson with saving his life.
“It is probably the closest near-death experience I can say I have had, and probably the most traumatic. It’s very scary. I knew he was going for my gun.
“The thoughts going through my head was he’s not getting my gun away from me and I’m just going to have to hang on.”
The English couple were visiting the city on a six-day trip to see Johanson’s sister and some of the local attractions.
“This was supposed to be a relaxing holiday away from my children—but it started off quite the opposite!”
He says that they pulled over for a few minutes shortly before the incident to put some music on, and if this hadn’t happened, he wouldn’t have seen the struggle.
“It is a bit like divine intervention. It was definitely the right place at the right time and I am glad it was me… Everyone was just driving past.
“Six minutes in that situation is horrendous. It is a long time. If I had driven away and the officer had died, I don’t think I would be able to forgive myself.”
He was then invited to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department station to meet the officers, including Police Chief John Drake and Officer Kinsey and his wife.
The department gifted him challenge coins, a police blanket, and he is being sent an engraved watch—which usually goes to officers who have served 30 years—as a special thank you.
“Our police department is beyond grateful to Sgt. Johanson for stopping to assist Officer Kinsey, and actively engaging to subdue the man who was assaulting him,” said Chief John Drake of the Nashville Police Department.
“The suspect had already managed to get his finger into the trigger guard and fire a round from the officer’s holstered pistol.
“He miraculously appeared when Officer Kinsey needed help. I believe he likely saved our officer’s life.”
The Kent officer of nine years has since returned home a hero and is remaining in touch with some of his new officer pals.
“You are a police officer all the time whether you are on holiday or not.”
“Everybody has been so kind. I was blown away when I went to the police station. They were so lovely. I think I have got a few free dinners in the works next time I go out there!”
SPREAD THE COURAGE By Sharing The Good News on Social Media…