Moment hero British cop holidaying in Nashville saves US officer’s life as he fought man who had taken his gun
This is the moment a British police officer stepped up and saved an American cop from being attacked while on holiday in Nashville.
Not long after arriving in the United States on May 7, Police Sergeant Taylor Johanson of the Kent Police saw Officer Peter Kinsey of the Metro Nashville Police Department getting into an argument on the side of the road around 8 p.m.
Kinsey was injured after an altercation with a jogger who was seen walking along the side of the interstate.
American police tried to talk to the man, identified by US media as 43-year-old Joseph Rainey, but he ignored Kinsey’s warning not to walk on the side of the busy road.
Kinsey tried to detain Rainey and an argument broke out. Local media reported that Rainey took the officer’s holstered gun and fired.
No one was injured in the shooting, but Johanson, who saw the incident, rushed to help make the arrest.
He stayed with Kinsey when more Nashville police arrived.
Kinsey told local media: ‘This is probably the closest near-death experience I’ve ever had and probably the most traumatic experience on the street.’
PS Taylor Johanson of the Kent Police (pictured, left) was recognized for assisting Officer Peter Kinsey (pictured, right) along with Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake (pictured, center).
Kinsey was injured during an altercation with a man walking on the interstate (pictured)
The British police officer, who works in Kent Police’s Community Safety Unit, said: ‘I saw the car parked and then I also saw the fight on the ground.
‘I think I was on the plane for eight hours, so it took me a second to realize what was happening. ‘I then saw the man on top of the officer attacking him badly, so I decided to jump in and try and tackle him.’
He joked: ‘This was supposed to be a relaxing holiday away from my children but it turned out to be quite the opposite!’
His boss, Chief Constable Tim Smith, said: ‘PS Johanson’s bravery in intervening in this incident was second to none. As a police officer you are never truly off duty and his natural reaction to running towards danger and helping is incredible.
‘His skills and intervention undoubtedly helped save the life of a police officer and we are very proud of him. He is an asset to Kent Police.’
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department chief John Drake said of Johanson’s bravery: ‘Our police department is grateful to PS Johanson for stopping to assist Officer Kinsey and actively taking part in subduing the man who attacked him.
‘The suspect had already managed to put his finger in the trigger guard and fire the police officer’s holstered gun. PS Johanson miraculously showed up when Officer Kinsey needed help. I believe you probably saved our officer’s life.’
