Home / Crime and Justice / Holidaying Brit Cop Tackles Gunman in US
Holidaying Brit Cop Tackles Gunman in US
15 May
Summary
- British sergeant intervened during a struggle with a man fighting a Nashville officer.
- The suspect had managed to fire the officer's service weapon before the intervention.
- The heroic act by Sgt Taylor Johanson likely saved the local officer's life.
A British police sergeant on holiday in Tennessee displayed incredible bravery by intervening in a dangerous altercation on May 7, 2026. Sgt Taylor Johanson, from Kent Police, was off-duty when he witnessed Nashville officer Peter Kinsey struggling with a suspect. The situation escalated dramatically as the suspect managed to fire Officer Kinsey's service weapon, though fortunately, no one was hit. Without hesitation, Sgt Johanson used his training to pull the suspect away from the officer.
This swift intervention allowed Officer Kinsey to deploy his Taser and subdue the man. The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Joseph Rainey, was subsequently arrested. He now faces charges including aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. Police officials lauded Sgt Johanson's courageous actions, with Nashville Police Chief John Drake stating the sergeant "likely saved our officer's life." Kent Police Chief Constable Tim Smith also praised Johanson, highlighting his natural instinct to confront danger.
