Two charged with trying to murder Ormskirk PC

Jan 4 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Katie Johnson

THE Ormskirk police officer who was shot in the leg during a raid on a Lancashire pub said yesterday that it was her “natural reaction” to challenge the offender.

Dog handler PC Katie Johnson, 29, was shot in the thigh by a masked man fleeing the scene of the armed robbery at the Hospital Inn in Bamber Bridge on Monday morning in what detectives called “a despicable crime”.

Speaking for the first time about her ordeal, she added: “I’m a police officer and I joined to try and protect and help people. Everything happened so quickly. One minute I was at the pub, the next in an ambulance being taken to the hospital.

“The past few days have been a particularly stressful time for me and my family. I don’t think the reality of what happened on Monday has sunk in yet.”

PC Johnson, who sustained 12 pellet wounds to her upper leg, said she now looked forward to recovering and returning to work.

During the raid, a second dog handler, PC Ian Tinsley, was “violently threatened” after the shooting. A “significant” five-figure sum of money was taken from the scene.

Two men have been arrested in connection with the raid.

Last night, they were  charged with the attempted murder of the police officer.

David Tyrell, 37, of Lions Drive, Swinton, Manchester, and Wayne McDonald, 46, of no fixed address, are both charged with attempted murder of Pc Katie Johnson, robbery, firearm offences and four counts of false imprisonment, a spokesman for the force said tonight.

They will appear at Chorley Magistrates’ Court near Preston at 9.30am today.

PC Johnson paid tribute to those who had helped her and expressed her concern for those also caught up in the violence, including Chaos the police dog.

She said: “I would like to thank the Lancashire Ambulance Service and also to the staff at the Royal Preston Hospital for their excellent care.

“My thanks must also be extended to all my colleagues who are working on the case.

“I’ve also been overwhelmed by the messages of support from friends and workmates. They’ve all been very kind and thoughtful.

“One of my first thoughts was that Chaos is okay and I’m looking forward to seeing him. I’m told that the workers at the pub and PC Ian Tinsley are all doing well and I’m pleased at that. It must have been horrific for the staff and I hope they make a full recovery.

“I plan to get myself ready for action and look forward to returning to work.”

vickyanderson