Police dog who faced knife-wielding man wins award

Eddie Cabrera and Frankie the German shepherd are sitting next to each other in a garden. Eddie is wearing a blue t-shirt and is taking the selfie, with Frankie in the foreground. Frankie's attention is focused on something out of frame. It is a clear and sunny day, with plants decorating the fence in the background. The duo sit underneath a wooden canopy.

A Surrey Police dog and his handler who safely detained a man wielding a knife have won a national bravery award.

Two-year-old German shepherd, Frankie, and PC Eddie Cabrera, 39, from Horsham in West Sussex, were six months into the role when they were called to the incident in Leatherhead in February.

Philip Kinnaird, 46, from Leatherhead, was convicted of threatening a person with a blade or sharply pointed article in a public space and sentenced to two years in prison at Chichester Crown Court on Friday.

Winning the Outstanding Bravery Award from the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a national dog welfare charity, Cabrera said Frankie "didn't cower or shy away at all, he was so brave".

The charity said the award celebrates "outstanding teamwork, bravery and dedication to public safety under exceptionally challenging circumstances".

Body-worn video footage, supplied by Surrey Police, showed the duo in action as Kinnaird swung a knife at them and said "I'll stab you".

Cabrera said Frankie led him to Kinnaird when he arrived at the scene.

He explained: "I couldn't use a Taser because of the fire hazard so I tried to redeploy Frankie but the guy was swinging the knife at his head.

"[Frankie] got involved and was trying to back me up and help but he wasn't quite sure what to do.

"He stayed up with me and stayed trying to protect me."

Cabrera said the dog helped distract Kinnaird enough so he could use pepper spray and keep him detained before support arrived.

Sentenced in Chichester, Kinnaird was also ordered to pay £187 in costs.

Eddie Cabrera and Frankie the German shepherd pose for a photograph. Eddie kneels using his left leg to crouch next to his partner. He holds an award in the shape of a dog's paw print, embossed in blue. He is wearing his full-black police uniform and vest. Frankie is sitting down with his ears pricked up. His large tongue is sticking out of his mouth as he sits on his hind legs. The duo are positioned on a field of dry grass, with a police car behind them.

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation's founder, Kieran Stanbridge, applauded the duo for facing an "incredibly difficult and dangerous situation" with courage.

A Kent Police dog who was dubbed a "rags to riches story" and a West Midlands Police dog forced to retire from injury were among those to win other awards.

Cabrera said Frankie's love for being a police dog could not be manufactured or forced.

He said Frankie was more than just an easy colleague to work with on the Surrey and Sussex Police Dog Unit.

"He's a kitten at home, he just wants a belly rub and to enjoy life," he added.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

Related internet links

Original source Police dog who faced knife-wielding man wins award

Back to home