Yorkshire hospital worker given bravery medal after disarming 'man with a gun' says he was 'just doing my job'

The 41-year-old, a former volunteer in the Army Reserves, was not aware that the gun was a replica at the time of the incident, back in October 2020, when the man drew the gun from his pocket and pointed it at a porter. The man then turned the gun to his own head before pointing it back at the porter.

Dean was called to the scene by A&E staff and approached the man, calmly asking him to hand over the gun, which he did.

The 27-year-old man later pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm, namely a gas-powered BB gun with intent to cause fear of violence. He received a prison sentence.

Dean, who joined Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2009, said he was “humbled and a little embarrassed” at receiving the award.

He said: “I was just doing my job and wanted to keep the situation as calm as possible. Serving in the Army Reserves gave me experience with weapons. With situations like this, you have to assume that the weapon is genuine and it was only when he handed it to me that I could tell it was a replica because of the weight.

“But you cannot take the risk and I was concerned for colleagues and patients as this is a busy area. After the man handed over the gun, I asked him to sit down beside me and just kept talking to him to keep him calm until the police arrived. I did have sympathy for him as he was very distressed.”

Dean, who lives in Bradford with partner Becky, son Jacob, 18 and daughter Georgia, aged nine added that he was shocked to discover that he was going to receive a bronze medal from the Royal Humane Society. The bronze medal, introduced in 1837, is awarded to ‘people who have put their own lives at great risk to save or attempt to save someone else’. Dean insisted it was a “team effort”.

“Shortly after arriving in A&E, my colleagues, who did not have to come to help, followed. We always work as a team and have each other’s backs,” he said.

“I didn’t really think about myself when I got the call to assist. To be honest I’ve been a million more times nervous thinking about going to collect the medal.”

The Trust’s Director of Estates and Facilities, Mark Holloway said: “Dean’s actions and bravery is a credit to the Trust’s security team, who work day and night in keeping our sites safe and secure. Dean acted above and beyond with professionalism and bravery, putting the safety of colleagues and patients before himself.”