An off-duty Dorset Police officer has been nominated for a National Police Bravery Award after bravely disarming a distressed man swinging an electric saw in the middle of a busy Ferndown street.
On the morning of Wednesday, August 9, PC Demar Rowe was driving to work when he noticed a man attempting to lie down on Golf Links Road, right in front of oncoming traffic. The man appeared highly agitated over a flat tyre. Concerned for the safety of both the man and nearby pedestrians, Rowe stopped and approached him, hoping to calm the situation.
The incident escalated when the man returned to his vehicle and pulled out a powered electric saw with a blade more than a foot long. Brandishing the saw wildly, he directed it towards himself in an apparent attempt at self-harm.
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Despite being off duty and having no protective equipment or restraints, Rowe courageously intervened. Using a decorating sheet found in the man’s vehicle as a distraction, Rowe managed to disarm and restrain him with a bear hug grip, preventing harm to the man and others nearby.
Rowe identified himself as an off-duty officer and called for assistance. Another off-duty officer arrived shortly after, but Rowe continued to hold the man until uniformed officers came to the scene about 20 minutes later. The man was then detained and taken to hospital for evaluation and care.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Rowe expressed relief upon hearing arriving police sirens, stating he had “nothing left in the tank” after the intense confrontation.
Chief Constable Amanda Pearson praised Rowe’s heroism, saying, “Even off duty, Demar put himself in harm’s way to protect an individual and the public. His actions are nothing short of remarkable and embody the best of policing. We are proud to have him in Dorset Police, and his bravery is an inspiration to us all.”
The National Police Bravery Awards ceremony is set to take place in July 2025.