Two women from Gloucestershire who rushed to save their stabbed neighbour have been recognised for their extraordinary bravery at the national Police Public Bravery Awards.
Elizabeth Powell received a gold medal and Marion Balaam a silver, after both stepped in to save off-duty police officer PC Hannah Conroy, who was attacked in her own home in the Forest of Dean in May last year.
The pair were honoured at the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s awards ceremony at Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield on Wednesday night (23 October).
In the early hours of 28 May 2023, PC Conroy was stabbed multiple times by a woman who broke into her home. Hearing her cries for help, Elizabeth, 54, ran to her door, disarmed the attacker and held her down while keeping police on the phone.
Neighbour Marion also rushed to the scene, giving lifesaving first aid by applying pressure to several stab wounds until emergency services arrived.
PC Conroy said she owed her life to the two women, describing them as “lifelong friends” whose courage and quick thinking “saved my life.”
Gloucestershire’s Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth praised their “incredible strength, bravery and life-saving instinct,” adding that the case showed “the strength of community spirit in times of crisis.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson also commended them, calling their actions “nothing short of heroic.”
The offender was later found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity and detained under an indefinite hospital order.
Hosted by South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lauren Poultney, the awards celebrated selfless members of the public who risked their own safety to protect others — including people who rescued strangers from rivers, fought off robbers and gave vital first aid.