A hero copper whose rescue of a drowning man was caught on his police-issue body-worn camera has been honoured for his bravery by The Hoff.
Pc Mohammed Nadeem jumped into a river in a single-handed rescue which earned him the nickname ‘The Hoff’ after Baywatch and Knight Rider star David Hasselhoff, who tweeted his praise for the officer at the time.
And the actor himself recorded a special video message for Pc Nadeem at the national Police Bravery Awards, hosted by the Police Federation of England and Wales.
Posing with a Baywatch-style lifebuoy Hasselhoff said: “Hey Mohammed. Congratulations. I understand they call you The Hoff. Take care and keep up the good work.”
Pc Nadeem, 32, leapt 8ft down into the icy and fast-flowing waters of the River Irwell after a man he was trying to help fell in, close to Hardys Gate Bridge in Bury in February. He had only joined the force nine months earlier and was a student police officer at the time.
The man in the river tried to swim towards a weir, but PC Nadeem caught up, grabbed hold of him and dragged him to safety. Both were treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital to receive further checks.
Pc Nadeem, whose wife was heavily pregnant at the time of his rescue, was named as the north west winner at the ceremony. The awards honour police officers who perform outstanding acts of bravery.
The officer, who works for the Bury division and lives in Rochdale, said: “I am very happy to get this award. Just being a nominee was a great feeling but actually winning is amazing and David Hasselhoff giving a video message about what I have done - that recognition is just brilliant.”
Speaking at the time he said: “I thought this person might not survive, so I jumped into the water to save him. Somehow I managed to get to him and bring him to a place of safety. I wouldn’t say I’m a good swimmer, especially in deep flowing water.
“But saving him is the best feeling in the job. We are there to protect people, to save people.
GMP Deputy Chief Constable, Ian Pilling, said PC Nadeem displayed a ‘willingness to assist even when his own life was in danger’.
“All of us at GMP are very proud of his actions and this award is fully deserved,” he added.
