By Aileen Robertson

A FIFE police officer who was violently attacked on duty has been honoured for his bravery in fighting crime.

PC Christopher Kenny, from Kelty, was one of four people to be awarded the First Minister’s Commendation for Meritorious Conduct at a ceremony in Edinburgh yesterday.

The award is given to people who stand up to crime despite facing personal injury. All four had put their lives at risk to tackle dangerous criminals.

In December 2003 Mr Kenny was set upon by a motorcyclist he had confronted for not having valid documentation for his vehicle. The incident happened in the forecourt of a Kelty filling station.

When the motorcyclist came out of the shop, Mr Kenny asked him to make his way over and bring his bike. But the rider got on his bike and drove at speed towards him.

When the bike struck the officer in the chest, he wrapped his arms around the handlebars and held on. The rider tried to drive out of the forecourt, dragging Mr Kenny behind him.

The bike toppled over and the man was arrested and charged with attempted murder. He subsequently went to jail.

Chief Superintendent Jim Rodden of Fife Constabulary said Mr Kenny exhibited great courage in the face of extreme violence.

“On a daily basis, my officers display courage and tenacity in a whole range of situations,” said Mr Rodden.

“As an organisation we tend to accept as a state of normality what other professions might classify as exceptional behaviour.

“However, every so often a situation arises which is truly exceptional in our terms, and the incident involving Chris Kenny is one which is above and beyond the level of courage we could reasonably expect from anyone.

“As is typical of this officer and others under my command, Chris treated this as if it was a normal occurrence, and despite being injured as a result of the incident, quickly got himself back to duty and to serving the public.

“This was a remarkable feat of bravery from a dedicated and enthusiastic young officer.

“He most certainly deserves the recognition bestowed upon him.”

Last year Mr Kenny received two commendations from Chief Constable Peter Wilson, the second for another feat of bravery.

On August 4, he was called to a flat in Kelty where a man barricaded himself in the kitchen, turned on the gas taps and threatened to ignite the gas.

After evacuating the neighbouring flats, Mr Kenny struck up a rapport with the man. He was consequently able to persuade him to turn off the gas taps and leave the building.

Three others were recognised at yesterday’s event.

Frederick Storrie, from Renfrewshire, tackled an armed criminal who entered his shop in May 2003. The criminal threatened him with a handgun, but the shopkeeper’s actions resulted in the man being jailed for four years.

Wishvas Marwaha, of Glasgow, tackled a gunman in his shop in December 2003. The assailant was later imprisoned for seven years.

And in September 2003 Wendy Lewis, of Dunoon, Argyll, returned home to be faced with a gunman demanding entry to her house. Knowing her son and elderly parents were inside, she refused the man entry and summoned the police. The criminal was arrested and jailed for 10 years.