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A Northamptonshire police officer was shot three times in the head while trying to rescue an elderly couple. He has been nominated for the National Bravery Award.

Sergeant Dave Keton answers a routine call from a man who appears to be suffering from a mental health crisis.

By himself, there was still some distance away. He tried to contact the man, but found himself starting from the barrel of the pistol.

Later he needed surgery to remove some ball bearings from his face and head-but still begged to go back and complete his shift.

Now, in the National Police Bravery Awards organized by the Police Federation next month, Sheriff Cayton has been nominated as one of 43 people-one for each of the troops in England and Wales.

These awards recognize officers who put the safety of others above themselves. From running into burning buildings, wading into deep water, dealing with armed criminals, being shot, stabbed, and driven away.

Sergeant Keton told the story of his confrontation in a fascinating interview earlier this year, revealing how he successfully fired the Taser and single-handedly forced the attacker to back down before handcuffing him.

The police officer still had a visible scar on his right temple less than an inch from his eye. He said: "After I arrived at the property, things quickly dispersed.

"I walked to the dogleg on the stairs, the barrel was pointed directly at my face, and he started firing at me repeatedly.

"I remember a loud cracking sound when the weapon was fired, and there was a strong burning sensation on the top of my forehead, needle-like pain-I think this was the first impact.

40-year-old Marshall Coe was sentenced to 11 years in prison in Northampton Criminal Court in May of this year for intentionally hurting and possessing a gun to cause fear of violence.

"At that time—it sounds cliche—everything slowed down, and the senses started to deceive you.

"The best way I can explain is the choice of fight or flight. I really believe that you cannot choose the one determined by your body.

"This is where the benefits of being a police officer, the training you receive and the ethics you have, come into play.

"So my body's reaction is, I need to fight, I need to protect myself, I need to protect other people in this property."

Despite his severe bleeding, Sergeant Cayton knocked down Coe with the help of a taser that all Northamptonshire police can now carry. Each carries two cartridges, designed to incapacitate the target.

Sergeant Cayton added: "I fired my Taser at men-the effect was zero! So I ended up firing two cartridges.

"Again, this proves the training we received. The muscle memory made me realize that his behavior has not changed. The second shot is necessary.

"It sounds ridiculous when you are hit, but what scares me the most is that I guess he has run out of ammunition, but still has a knife.

"I have fired two Taser ammunition, so my tactical options at that stage are somewhat limited."

Reserve personnel arrived at the scene on Neuville Way in Desborough and found that the suspect had been handcuffed and their colleague was injured.

Sergeant Cayton added: "The other police officers are also on the road, but before they get there, it feels like a lifetime, much longer than it actually took.

"It wasn't until after that gentleman was detained that I realized exactly where I was injured. The bigger factor is that, other than a certain described semi-automatic weapon, I don't know what shot I was killed.

"I have never been shot before, so I don't know what it feels like or the extent of the injury.

"I had a CT scan and the consultant told me that there was a ball bearing on the side of my head and a ball bearing on the top of my head.

"Only when I see the CT image and I can see the bright white ball that I have appeared, I accept that I was actually shot, which can be very serious.

"A scan showed that the ball bearing was only a few millimeters away from the very thin bone between my nose and brain, so it could be life-threatening.

"I just feel lucky that I am not blind...or dead."

The doctor later removed three metal ball bearings from the sergeant's head.

However, Chief Police Officer Nick Adley revealed: "Once Sergeant Cayton removes the ball bearing from his face in the hospital, he wants to stay on duty that night!

"The blood was flowing and he was seriously injured. He wanted to rejoin his team because it was'very busy'.

"This is an incredible service to the public and our troops."