Super Sergeant Sheridan honoured at Bravery Awards

A SOUTH Yorkshire Police custody sergeant who saved hundreds of lives in last year’s Nepalese blizzard disaster has been honoured at the National Police Bravery Awards.

Sgt Paul Sheridan was on holiday trekking in Nepal when the snowstorm hit in October 2014. After local guides became lost, putting the large group of trekkers in grave danger, Sgt Sheridan stepped in to lead the group to safety. 

While sadly 29 people died in the disaster, Sgt Sheridan has been credited for saving more than 230 people.

“It was one of those times that if I didn’t take some sort of action, it may well have been that not only would I have died but the people I was with could have died as well,” he said.

“There were a lot of skills I used in Nepal that I have certainly developed during my time as a police officer: mainly to remain calm and assess the situation without diving in and taking the first course of action.”

Sgt Sheridan was was among 64 police officers from England and Wales praised for risking death and serious harm to protect the public.

Speaking ahead of a Downing Street reception for nominees, Sgt Sheridan said it was a “proud day” but also “a bit surreal”.

“I didn’t expect any of this. My thoughts just keep going back to the people I work with, not just the police officers but the support staff as well. I think what this represents today is all the hard work carried out by my colleagues – not just in South Yorkshire but around the country as well. Hopefully I can represent them here, as it is not just about what I did in Nepal but what they do as well.”

Jim Lucas, Secretary of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “It is a proud day to be here with Paul but also the other officers around the country.”

Speaking about Sgt Sheridan, Mr Lucas said: “This is a police officer who is on holiday and suddenly needs to take the lead to protect lives. His actions saved many people’s lives.”