‘AN ACT of bravery without equal’ – two heroic Rugby police officers who risked their lives to save the driver of a burning car have been awarded a Chief Constable’s Commendation.
In July 2023, PCs Mateusz Dabrowski and Dominic Strange were conducting a routine vehicle stop that turned into a high-speed pursuit.
The pursuit took a tragic turn when the suspect’s vehicle collided with another car.
The suspect’s car was left trapped in a hedgerow, its front doors both wedged shut, trapping the unconscious driver.
Flames began to consume the car – but both PCs made a decision to enter the car to try to save the man.
PC Strange was in first, managing to get in through the back doors. As smoke filled the cabin, he made desperate attempts to drag the trapped man out.
Meanwhile, PC Dabrowski was spraying a fire extinguisher, frantically trying to keep his colleague and the casualty safe.
Smoke continued to fill the cabin, and it became clear the car could explode at any moment – but the officers continued.
Then PC Dawbrowski sent a chilling radio transmission: “We’re really struggling. At the moment he’s not conscious, he’s not breathing, he’s not responding to us, boss. The vehicle with the fire, it’s too big. I can’t get through, the fire’s massive.”
At this point, both officers redoubled their efforts. They got into the car again and managed to drag the casualty to safety. As they performed CPR on him, the car exploded.
The entire incident was investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which concluded that both PCs had acted with nothing but professionalism, and thanked both officers for their bravery.
Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith requested a personal meeting with both officers so he could present them with a Chief’s Commendation.
He said: “This was an act of bravery of the highest degree.
“Less than a minute after PC Dabrowski and PC Strange dragged the casualty out of that car, it exploded. Though they knew this was likely to happen, they certainly had no way of knowing when it would happen – and so every second they remained in that car is an act of bravery without equal.
“PC Dabrowski and PC Strange exemplify all that’s good in policing, and I hope they both take pride in what they did for the rest of their lives.”
Simon Payne, chair of the Warwickshire Police Federation, added: “I know you both would have been scared, but you refused to give up and in all these years of helping with nominations, I can say it’s one of the bravest things I’ve ever witnessed.
“Once the IOPC showed the family the body worn-footage, they met you both and hugged you.”
Both PCs have been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025, the winners of which will be announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday (July 10).
