Pc Guy Miller has returned to operational duties with the force

Pc Guy Miller was badly hurt in the incident in Kings Hill in Kent in December 2003. Two south east London men were jailed after the attack.

Kent Police said Pc Miller, left in a coma for two months, had returned to duties, "confounding expectations".

A spokesman said his actions in the attack and during recovery were "in the best traditions of the police service".

Ricky Hales, 20, of Deptford, was jailed in 2004 for 15 years at a young offenders' institution for attempted murder, and Maxwell Lancaster, 18, of Catford, was jailed for seven years for aggravated vehicle taking.

'Exceptional act'

Pc Miller had been trying to arrest the two men after they were seen riding a stolen motorbike at speeds of up to 150 mph.

Hales and Lancaster abandoned the bike after a police chase and Pc Miller went to chase them on foot.

The two men were then seen inside the police officer's car with Pc Miller pulling the doors and banging on the rear window to let them know he was there, before Hales reversed the patrol car over the officer.

At the time of the court case, it was said that Pc Miller would never fully recover from his injuries.

On Wednesday, Pc Miller received a Chief Constable's commendation, the highest form of "in-force" recognition, along with five other officers.

Chief Constable Michael Fuller said the officers should "feel proud of their achievement" after their "exceptional acts and services".