The police officer injured in the shooting which claimed the life of PC Sharon Beshenivsky has received an award for her outstanding bravery.

PC Teresa Milburn was injured when she attended a call from Universal Express with PC Beshenivsky in Morley Street, Bradford shortly before 3pm on November 18, 2005.

The 37-year-old was presented with her award last night at the first British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP's) annual awards for distinguishing herself by an act of extraordinary selflessness, personal bravery, courage or self-sacrifice.

She shares the award with London PC Deborah Russell-Fenwick, who helped victims of the July 7 terrorist attacks in the capital.

The awards, presented on the association's Spring Professional Development Day, at the Forest of Arden Hotel, Warwickshire, are the first in policing specifically aimed at honouring women officers, and are held in association with Jane's Police Review and recognise the contributions and achievements of women within the police service.

Chief Superintendent Sarah Brown, who is the divisional commander of Bradford South, where PC Milburn is based, said: "We are pleased that Teresa has been recognised in this way by the BAWP."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said PC Milburn would not be making any comments personally until after the trial related to the death of PC Beshenivsky.

The mum of one, from Birstall, has stayed away from the media spotlight since the shooting, concentrating on her recovery, but speaking last November on her release from hospital following the shooting, she spoke of how she had "lost a colleague and a dear friend"

She said: "Sharon and I enjoyed working together immensely. Despite my own injuries I am thankful to be back at home with my family."

PC Deborah Russell-Fenwick, of the British Transport Police was on duty in London on July 7, 2005, and dealt with the terror attack in which a blast tore through a double-decker bus at the junction of Tavistock Square and Upper Woburn Place, and claimed the lives of 13 people.

The awards, which include categories on leadership, mentoring and officer of the year, attracted 90 nominations for police staff and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), from across the UK.

Along with fellow winners of each category, PC Milburn will now be nominated for the International Association of Women Police awards, which will be presented in September in Saskatoon, Canada.

BAWP committee member chief inspector Jane Townsley, who organised the awards, said: "These awards are a tribute to all police officers and staff across the whole country and they recognise the hard work undertaken on a daily basis by female police officers and staff across the service."

The association was founded in 1987 to enhance the role and understanding of the specific needs of women working across the service and is the only organisation in the UK to draw members from all ranks and grades of the police service, both male and female, and associated organisations.

BAWP brings together representatives from the geographical forces throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as British Transport Police, Guernsey Police, Isle of Man Constabulary, Ministry of Defence Police, and RAF Police.