A gunman trapped two police officers inside a car park while horrified onlookers watched the tense standoff.
PC Mark Field and PC Kirsty John were patrolling the St Helens area when they responded to a call relating to a man, who said he had a gun and was going to "blow his brains out".
When the officers arrived at the scene on Parr Stocks Road, they were confronted in the street by a man who was holding a gun.
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They had driven into a small car park and had no obvious escape route.
The man was pointing the gun directly at PC Field and PC John through the windscreen of their patrol car, while horrified onlookers stood nearby.
PC Field and PC John got out of their patrol car with their tasers drawn and managed to get the man on the ground and get the gun off him.
The man was arrested for possessing a firearm/imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and was subsequently charged and placed before the courts, where he was jailed for 12 months.
The two officers are now being commended for their bravery by being nominated for The National Police Bravery Awards.
Merseyside Police Federation Chair Tony Fairclough said: “The officers involved had limited, yet specific, information to inform their dynamic decision-making.
“Without doubt, their prompt and decisive actions, putting the safety of the public ahead of their own, led to the effective resolution of a very difficult situation.”
Tony added: “This goes to show the dangers officers can face as they go about their duties. We are very proud of Mark and Kirsty and they are very worthy nominees.”
The National Police Bravery Awards honour officers from across England and Wales who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.
As nominees, PC Field and PC John will attend an awards ceremony in London in December for their actions in November 2019.
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