Ryan Kenneth David, a Metropolitan Police officer awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal twice, died on May 29, 2026, at the age of 78. His distinguished career was marked by remarkable acts of bravery and dedication to duty.

David’s first notable act of heroism occurred on October 19, 1973, during the pursuit and arrest of four armed men who had robbed a sub-post office in Bermondsey, south London. After the robbers fled in a stolen vehicle, police patrols engaged in a lengthy chase across north London. Sergeant David, positioned in Hornsey, attempted to intercept the vehicle by blocking its path. Though the robbers fired shots at his car, striking the windscreen, David persisted in the pursuit. The chase ended in a cul-de-sac, where the suspects opened fire on police officers manning a roadblock.

During the ensuing confrontation, David physically struggled with one of the armed gunmen and managed to arrest one of the unarmed passengers, despite sustaining injuries that required hospital treatment. Additional officers subdued the two armed men after a violent clash. The incident, later dubbed a “Chicago-style shoot-out” in court, resulted in the sentencing of the four men to prison terms ranging from eight to fourteen years. For his courage during the incident, David was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal in March 1975, along with two other officers involved.

David’s second major act of valor took place on December 6, 1975, at Archway Bridge, north London, where he intervened in a suicide attempt. A young man stood on a narrow ledge 57 feet above the road, refusing to move despite the efforts of several officers. David climbed onto the ledge and, at a critical moment, seized the man as he prepared to jump. Despite a violent struggle that left both men hanging precariously, David held on until colleagues and fire brigade personnel assisted in bringing the man to safety. This rescue earned David a rare Bar to his Queen’s Gallantry Medal, a distinction that brought him into the Guinness World Records.

Born on September 20, 1947, in Mumbles near Swansea, David was the son of solicitor Ken David and Jean (née Williams). He joined the Metropolitan Police in 1968 after attending Hendon Police College and was known for his practical approach to policing rather than ambition for promotion. Throughout his career, he served with the Flying Squad and the police air support unit, developed a reputation as a dependable rugby player for the Met’s Y Division, and was respected for his role in resolving local disputes in Hornsey and Crouch End.

David remained active on the force until his retirement in 1992. Notably, in 1985, while off duty, he intervened in a robbery at a service station, apprehending one of the suspects and earning a sixth Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s Commendation for bravery. After leaving the police, he worked in security and served as a rugby referee before eventually returning to his hometown of Mumbles.

Described by colleagues as an “old-school copper,” David was recognized not only for his bravery but also for his commitment and humility, seldom speaking about his awards. He is survived by his three children: daughters Tina and Karen, and son Timothy.