“AS he tried to stab me in the chest, I realised I had to use force as my last option. It was either my life or his.” These were the words of Marshall Security patrol officer, James Reddy (26), who was attacked by armed house breakers at an uMgeni Park home on Wednesday. The Marshall security response officer shot two of the suspects in the attack, wounding one, and fatally injuring the other.
His day started like any other, patrolling his designated area, before an alarm activation on Hillbrow Road at about 2pm set about a chain of events that would lead to life or death struggle.
“As I pulled up to the house, I noticed three suspects in the servitude next to the house. They had already broken a window to gain access to the home and hadn’t noticed me. As I walked down towards them, two of the suspects tried to attack me. Of the three suspects, one had a knife, one had a gun and the other was unarmed.
“The suspect with the knife was the first tried to stab me but my bullet-proof vest deflected the attack. I then put up my hands to push him back and was cut a few times on the forearms. I fired three times before stumbling over a patio chair on the property,” he said.
Reddy also wounded the suspect with the gun but he was able to getaway with the unarmed accomplice. The stolen items were also recovered outside a window at the side of the house where the patrol officer first saw the suspects. He added throughout the attack, he was able to keep his cool.
“The adrenaline was pumping at the time but I was fairly calm. We engage in situations like this everyday but I wasn’t scared, it’s a risk we run. I’m glad we were able to recover the goods and that no residents were injured,” he said.
It is believed the Hillbrow Road has been targeted by robbers on four occasions this year.
