Bravery awards for officers after deadly Rushton house fire
Five officers are recognised for risking their lives to save others
Last updated 10th Jul 2026
Five officers from Northamptonshire Police are being celebrated for their courage and bravery during a fatal house fire in Rushton last year.
The group were declared regional winners at the 31st Police Federation Bravery Awards.
On 28th March 2025, Sergeant Will Barr and PCs Bradley Bowman, Lewis Desborough, Nik Hawke MBE, and Chris King responded to reports of a significant house fire, arriving before fire and rescue services.
Upon arrival, they faced an aggressive blaze, with thick smoke and intense flames engulfing the property, while survivors who had escaped showed signs of the extreme temperatures endured within.
With a wet towel wrapped around his head, PC Bowman climbed towards an upstairs window but was forced to retreat due to the unbearable heat and debris showering down as the building began to collapse.
PS Barr and PCs Desborough, Hawke, and King ventured inside despite the choking smoke, collapsing structure, and advancing flames. Their bodycams captured the terrifying scene as parts of the building crumbled around them.
Efforts to reach those trapped continued even after they were forced outside, demonstrating their determination to save lives. All officers were subsequently hospitalized due to smoke inhalation, with ongoing treatment for some.
Despite their heroic actions, the fire resulted in three tragic fatalities, including a young child.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “It is important to pay tribute to the extraordinary service the police deliver for our nation. Most of these acts will never be known to the public, but they won’t be forgotten by those who were there to see them.
“Today is a chance to thank them, on behalf of the whole country, for the danger they face and the lengths they go to keep the rest of us safe.”
Police Federation National Chair Tiff Lynch said: “I have no doubt that, as with nominees in each of the previous 30 years, if asked about the circumstances that led to their nomination, they would say they were simply doing their job – that their actions were nothing special.
"Well, it is not just part of the job. The courage shown, the split-second decisions made, and the willingness to put themselves in harm’s way for others go far beyond what most people are ever asked to do.”
Police Federation National Secretary John Partington said: “Policing is, at its heart, a vocation of service. Every officer understands the risks inherent in the role, and time and again we see individuals step forward in moments of uncertainty and danger with unwavering resolve.
"The nominees represent not only acts of bravery but acts of humanity by officers who placed the safety and wellbeing of others above their own, often in the most challenging of circumstances.”