TWO hero members of staff who tackled an attacker as he slashed at pupils with broken glass have been awarded a bravery medal.
Molly Bulmer and Alicia Richards risked their lives when they stopped Louis Melotte viciously attacking a pupil in the reception area at Birley Academy in Sheffield last year.
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The pair have now been awarded the King’s Commendation for Bravery after their courageous actions.
Ms Bulmer and Ms Richards were among twenty extraordinary people who received a Gallantry Award today.
The prestigious awards are given out to people in recognition for their courage and bravery in the face of danger.
Footage showed Melotte entering the school grounds with a shard of broken glass hidden up his sleeve, before carrying out a frenzied attack on a pupil.
But he was bravely apprehended by staff members Bulmer and Richards.
Ms Bulmer, who worked at the school as a youth and integration coordinator, intervened as Melotte launched an assault on an unsuspecting student.
She placed herself in imminent danger in an attempt to restrain him.
This led to Melotte focusing his assault on Ms Bulmer, striking her at least ten times with the glass.
Receptionist Ms Richards then bravely dived in and assisted in restraining the attacker, ensuring he could not move further into the school.
Their courageous actions managed to prevent the assailant from getting deeper into the school building, allowing colleagues to initiate lockdown procedures and ensure the safety of the wider school community.
Ms Richards said after the attack that she thought she was “going to die” at the hands of the teenager.
The pair sustained injuries after courageously springing into action during the horror.
In total, 20 extraordinary people were awarded a Gallantry Award today for their courage and bravery.
The awards include 2 George Medals, 3 King’s Gallantry Medals and 15 King’s Commendations for Bravery.
Nottingham attack victim Grace O’Malley-Kumar was also awarded the George Medal for her astonishing courage in giving her life to protect a friend.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “This is what true courage looks like.
“In moments of unimaginable danger, these extraordinary people acted with selflessness and bravery that speaks to the very best of who we are as a nation.
“We owe each of them – and their families – our deepest thanks. Their actions remind us of the strength and compassion that run through our communities.
“I want to pay tribute to all of the recipients, including Grace O’Malley-Kumar who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect her friend. Her legacy will live on as a powerful example of heroism.”
‘TRUE COURAGE’
Brave Grace has been hailed for her heroism by family friends after she was recommended for the honour from King Charles.
Grace, who was also 19, was officially announced as a post-humous recipient of the accolade.
The medical student tried to save her pal Barnaby Webber, 19, from a knife killer in Nottingham in June 2023.
A close family friend said of keen cricketer and hockey player Grace: “Grace was an athlete.
“She could have easily run away but her instinct was to stand by her friend and she paid the ultimate price for her courage.”
Meanwhile, Richard O’Brien has received the King’s Gallantry Medal for intervening in an armed attack in Barnet on September 21 2021.
And PC Mark Sutton and PC Thomas Dransfield have received the King’s Commendation for Bravery for rescuing a man falling from a bridge in November 2023.
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