WA police detective Sergeant Chris Turner recognised with bravery medal for saving life of Iraq War veteran with PTSD

A senior police officer has been recognised with a bravery medal for risking his life to save an Iraq War veteran who tried to take his own life in 2017. Det-Sgt Chris Turner was one of 13 officers presented with the Cross for Bravery Medal on Thursday by WA’s top cop Chris Dawson. The medal is awarded to officers who carry out “acts of most conspicuous courage”. But what makes Det-Sgt’s Turner’s act of bravery unique is the fact that the Iraq War veteran he saved at a Port Kennedy beach in December 2017 was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder at the time, something Det-Sgt Turner readily admits to having suffered from over the years. “I knew what he was suffering from ... but I wasn’t going to let him do that to himself,” the stoic officer said. Det-Sgt Turner said he did not think twice that night about rescuing the man 100m offshore, despite the fact the beach was a well-known shark hotspot. “You don’t think about it, you just do it — it’s all part of the service,” he said. “I just gave my gun belt to the probationary (officer) and went into the drink. “I went in the water and swam out to him and I said, ‘You’re coming with me’. “He started to go under and I grabbed him and he started sobbing in my arms.” Det-Sgt Turner praised his colleagues, who quickly arrived on the scene with a boat to pull him and the navy veteran out of the water. “I visited him in hospital later that night and he gave me a big hug,” he said. Det-Sgt Turner has been recognised with multiple commendations during his 31-year career with the force. He has also been subjected to several assaults on the job, most recently last year while off duty in Alfred Cove. Details surrounding that attack were published exclusively by The West Australian in December. Despite this, Det-Sgt Turner said he still loved being a cop. “I still love doing what I do,” he said. Mr Dawson said he was immensely proud of all the officers recognised last week. “I’m humbled and really proud to be their commissioner because they have gone beyond what they held up their right hand to do,” he said.