NATIONAL HERO
Police officer who quit force 2 years after surviving Salisbury Novichok attack thanks Brits for ‘overwhelming’ reaction
THE cop forced to leave his much-loved job after he was poisoned by Novichok in the Salisbury attacks has thanked Brits for their 'overwhelming' support.
Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who was left fighting for his life after being exposed to the nerve agent in March 2018, revealed this week he's had to "admit defeat" and quit Wiltshire Police.
His admission prompted a swell of support from the public - and today, the brave officer said he'd been 'overwhelmed' by the kindness of those who had contacted him.
Despite surviving the horror attack, the cop was left with depression and memory loss.
He has tried to return to work three times - but now says the Salisbury attack had taken "so much" from him.
In a series of tweets earlier this week, the cop said: "After 18 years in the police force I’ve had to admit defeat and accept that I can no longer do the job.
"I wanted to be a police officer since I was a teenager, I couldn’t envisage doing anything else, which is why this makes me so sad.
"Like most police officers, I’ve experienced my fair share of trauma, violence, upset, injury and grief.
"We deal with it, take it on the chin and keep going because that’s our job. But we’re still human and the impact this has shouldn’t be underestimated.
"The events in Salisbury in March 2018 took so much from me and although I’ve tried so hard to make it work, I know that I won’t find peace whilst remaining in that environment."
Now the officer - who has wryly changed his Twitter handle to 'exDSNickBailey' - has thanked all those who got in touch to wish him well.
He said: "The response to this has been overwhelming.
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"I’m so grateful to everyone for their love and support. I feel like we’ve had a virtual hug from the nation.
"Thank you all, you truly are wonderful people.
"I wish I could respond to you all directly. Love to you all."
Almost 2,000 people re-tweeted DS Bailey's initial string of messages - and hundreds have replied.
One said: "Hold your head up high Nick, be proud of all your achievements in coming this far, massive respect for you and the family.
"Your wellbeing is just as important as anything else."
Another said: "It's not defeat. It’s not a war.
"You’ve done it for 18 years and served brilliantly. Hold your head high and move onto the next thing."
Sgt Bailey had tried to return to his job in September 2018 and January 2019 - making a final attempt to rejoin work in June this year.
The cop had been in intensive care for two weeks after being exposed to the nerve agent as he investigated the poisonings of Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.
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He also suffered from hallucinations and vomiting, saying he had been left to "pick up the pieces" from the attack.
In a string of tweets announcing his retirement, the dad said: "Policing will remain in my heart and I feel honoured and privileged to have been part of Wiltshire Police.
"I am so grateful for the opportunities that they’ve given me, and the support that I’ve received."
He added: "To all those in the police, I salute you. Keep fighting the good fight, I’m just sorry that I’ve made the thin blue line that little bit thinner.
"Be proud of what you do and know that you make a positive difference to so many people.
"But for me, it’s time for a change. 1772: off duty."
Just this week, his wife Sarah spoke out for mental health awareness, tweeting: "Watching someone you love struggle is mind numbingly painful. If that’s how I feel, living it must be a million times worse.
"Wish I could take it away, or fast forward to a better place. Always here my darling man Nick Bailey".
Sgt Bailey was poisoned as he investigated the collapse of the ex-KGB spy and his daughter, 34.
They were found slumped on a bench in a "catatonic state".
At the time, it was not clear what had happened with it later found out they had been exposed to Novichok.
After further investigation, it was discovered that the nerve agent had been administered to the property's door handle, and that DS Bailey had become contaminated during his investigation of the house.
Tragically, Dawn Sturgess died after she and her boyfriend Charlie Rowley were exposed to the same Novichok nerve agent.
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