British officer on vacation ‘saves life’ of Nashville cop

By Isobel Williams

A British police officer has been hailed as a hero after helping to save the life of an off-duty American officer while on vacation in Nashville.

Off-duty Sgt. Taylor Johanson, 34, had just arrived in the Tennessee city when he saw local officer Peter Kinsey being assaulted by a man on the side of the road.

The officer from Ashford, Kent, was driving down the I-440 exit ramp at around 8 p.m. on May 7 in his rented Jeep Wrangler and immediately stopped to help.

He says that the American officer had been assaulted by a 43-year-old pedestrian, who was headbutting, biting, and punching him on the ground for around six minutes.

The man also tried to grab the officer's gun, even managing to fire a round while it was holstered.

Rushing into action, the brave Brit tackled the suspect and managed to keep him restrained until Kinsey was able to taser and handcuff him.

Johanson's girlfriend Emily Pressland, who is a special constable, called the local police and the pair waited until backup arrived.

He said: "We had been out of the airport for about ten minutes, and I came off the motorway and as I was driving on the exit ramp I saw the police car parked up and could see two people fighting on the floor.

"I stopped my car to see what was going on. The suspect was on top of the officer and he was headbutting him, punching him, biting him.

"I decided to jump on top of him and wrap my arm around him and managed to pull him off and hold him down.

"I hadn't really thought about it to be honest. It was only really afterwards when I realized the gravity of what was going on. Natural instinct kicked in and that fight or flight."

Kinsey says he had seen the pedestrian walking on the road and went to check on him after his commands to stop were ignored.

But, as he approached, the stranger started to attack him, pinning him face down for around six minutes in the "traumatic" ordeal.

Bodycam footage shows the tense struggle before Johanson, who works in the Community Safety Unit at Kent Police, runs in, asking "are you okay?"

Kinsey has credited Johanson with saving his life and said it was the closest he had come to a "near-death experience" while on patrol.

The American officer said: "It is probably the closest near-death experience I can say I have had, and probably the most traumatic.

"It's very scary. I knew he was going for my gun.

"The thoughts going through my head was he's not getting my gun away from me and I'm just going to have to hang on until somebody gets here

"I am just very happy and was very surprised when he came in like I said."

Johanson added: "I saw the officer was in trouble and my instinct just kicked in.

"I didn't stop to think of the consequences or hesitate. I just jumped out and used my skills to ensure the officer was safe and the suspect was apprehended.

"This was supposed to be a relaxing holiday away from my children - but it started off quite the opposite!"

The English couple had been visiting the city on a six-day trip to see Johanson's sister, who lives there, and some of the local attractions.

He says that they pulled over for a few minutes shortly before the incident to put some music on, and if this hadn't happened, he wouldn't have seen the struggle.

He said: "It is a bit like divine intervention. It was definitely the right place at the right time and I am glad it was me. Everyone was just driving past.

"Six minutes in that situation is horrendous. It is a long time. If I had driven away and the officer had died, I don't think I would be able to forgive myself.

"It kind of follows me around, and I am glad it does because it means I get to help people. You are a police officer all the time whether you are on holiday or not."

After the scary incident, Johanson continued on his vacation, visiting the iconic Bluebird Cafe where he claims Coldplay's Chris Martin walked in.

He was then invited to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department station to meet the officers, including Police Chief John Drake and Kinsey and his wife.

The department gifted him challenge coins, a police blanket, and he is being sent an engraved watch which usually goes to officers who have served 30 years as a special thank you.

Drake said: "Our police department is beyond grateful to Sgt. Johanson for stopping to assist Officer Kinsey, and actively engaging to subdue the man who was assaulting him.

"The suspect had already managed to get his finger into the trigger guard and fire a round from the officer's holstered pistol.

"Sgt. Johanson miraculously appeared when Officer Kinsey needed help. I believe he likely saved our officer's life."

The Kent officer of nine years has since returned home a hero and is remaining in touch with some of his new officer pals.

He said: "Everybody has been so kind. I was blown away when I went to the police station. They were so lovely. I think I have got a few free dinners in the works next time I go out there!

"I like arresting people. I like catching the bad guys and being able to help people. The excitement and adrenaline makes it a perfect job for me."

Kent Police Chief Constable Tim Smith added: "Johanson's bravery in intervening in this incident was second to none.

"As a police officer you are never truly off duty and his natural reaction to run toward danger and assist is incredible.

"His skills and intervention no doubt helped to save an officer's life and we are very proud of him. He is an asset to Kent Police."