Retired PC Ryan Kenneth David QGM and Bar 20/09/1947 - 29/05/2026
Ryan was born on 20th September 1947 in The Mumbles, South Wales. The Mumbles is where he grew up with his parents and siblings but in 1966, and without telling his mother, he left for London to join Metropolitan Police. Ryan served in the Met as a PC until he retired in 1992. He served most of his career on Y, Hornsey Division and was on the desk the night Dennis Nilsen was charged. He was a keen rugby player and played for Y division. He also had a stint in the early 1980s as an observer on the Air Support Unit, his daughter recalls he would find her on the high street at night and hold the spotlight on her! But what set Ryan apart was his bravery. In 1975 PC David was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal alongside PC David Brady and PS Michael Thomas Peffer for devotion to duty, great courage and complete disregard for their own safety.
Ryan was awarded a second QGM in 1976 for displaying bravery of a high order and great devotion to duty. This resulted in Ryan receiving a Bar to his QGM. It appears that in total only 19 people have ever received this distinction, and only one other Met officer.
The London Gazette details the incidents as follows
In 1973 four men armed with two sawn-off shotguns robbed a Sub-Post Office of cash and postal stock and escaped in a stolen car. They were later seen by a police patrol car whose occupants did not know a robbery had been committed but decided to' stop the car because of the manner in which it was being driven. Giving a running commentary on their radio, they pursued the car for several miles before losing sight of it. As the result of the commentary Constable David travelling in another patrol car recognised the stolen vehicle as it came towards him and drove his patrol car across the road to block it, but the driver managed to get past. Constable David immediately reversed the police car and continued the pursuit. Although a passenger in the stolen car fired at Constable David and his colleague, striking the windscreen of the patrol car they continued the chase. Meanwhile, ahead' of these two vehicles, another police car had been placed across the road forming a roadblock. On reaching the block the robbers' car turned sharply into a cul-de-sac, still followed by the police, and as it was halting the occupants fired two shots at the officers manning the block, but neither was hit. Constable David grappled with one of the gunmen to gain possession of his weapon, while the other gunman, who had been beating the officer on the arm with his gun, began loading his shotgun. Constable David was obliged to release his grip but he managed to pull one of the unarmed members of the gang from the car and arrested him. At the same time other police officers ran towards the car and arrested another robber. Sergeant Peffer arrived on the scene. Knowing that armed police officers had been- requested, he decided to try and talk the two armed' criminals remaining in the car into surrendering and so avoid the possibility of a gun battle. He approached the gunmen's car and spoke to one of the men who was abusive and threatened to kill him. The officer indicated that he was unarmed and, despite the two guns pointing at him, continued to try and persuade them until one of the men began to reverse the car, still keeping his shotgun directed at the Sergeant. Constable Brady was one of a number of other officers who had arrived at the scene, he threw his truncheon in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the stolen vehicle which, however, collided with a metal post and shattered a rear window. Constable Brady immediately ran to one of the police cars, reversed it and rammed it into the stolen car, whilst another Constable driving a police van assisted by ramming the car from another direction. One of the gunmen' fired a shot at Constable Brady, causing slight wounds to his face and left hand. Sergeant Peffer, with other police officers, then rushed the car and after a violent struggle overcame the two armed men. All the officers involved in the events leading to the arrest of these armed and dangerous men, who did not hesitate to use their weapons, displayed devotion to duty, great courage and a complete disregard for their own safety.
In the early hours of 6th December 1975, a young man who was in a depressed state of mind climbed over the railings of a bridge and threatened to leap 57 feet into the road below. The Police and Fire Brigade were called to the scene and the man was seen standing in the middle of the bridge on the two feet wide unprotected ledge which ran the whole length of the bridge. Several police officers attempted to gain the man's confidence, but with no effect. Constable David climbed over the railings on to the ledge, but the man moved away. Meanwhile, the Fire Brigade had prepared a noose with the intention to dropping it over the man. The young man apparently noticed the intentions of the rescuers and made to jump from the bridge, but Constable David released his own hold on the bridge, moved quickly forward and seized the youth forcing him backwards against the railings. The man began to struggle violently in an effort to break free and at times his legs were off the ledge. By this time another police officer had climbed down to the ledge and stood behind Constable David holding his clothing. To the onlookers it appeared that the three men would all fall to their death. Finally, with the help of a fireman who had also climbed over the railings and moved up to join them, the youth was manhandled back over the railings to safety despite his continued struggles. By the time the man had been rescued Constable David was completely exhausted by his efforts. Constable David displayed bravery of a high order and great devotion to duty when he brought about the rescue of this mentally disturbed man.
After retiring from the police, Ryan worked in the security industry and was involved in charity work for several organisations and enjoyed refereeing in his spare time at Cheshunt Rugby Club. In later life Ryan returned to live in South Wales.
Ryan is survived by two daughters and a son and as remarkable as Ryan was, to them he will always be “just dad.”
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