Anthony Underwood, 27, smashed in the side door of Bedford police station before running off into a busy road waving a three foot long machete and hammer.
CCTV footage released by Bedfordshire police show unarmed officers streaming out of the station in pursuit of Underwood to try to protect shoppers from potential injury.
The incident ended with a flying rugby tackle by Sgt Phil Boyd, who decided to try to bring Underwood under control when the weapons were suddenly dropped in front of him.
In interview later on in the day, Underwood told officers after being arrested that he was desperate to go to prison to try to kick a £300 per day cocaine habit and thought that his actions would get him there.
Superintendent Rob McCaffray said he was, "exceptionally proud" of the officers, adding, "they acted in the best traditions of the British police service. Unarmed, some without so much as a coat or uniform to protect themselves, they selflessly and instantaneously put themselves between good and evil."
"Some later recounted how frightened they were; for themselves, their colleagues and the public. That is the definition of real courage -- realising the danger but continuing to protect the public anyway. It's clearly illustrated on the CCTV and their actions probably prevented serious injury or damage elsewhere in the town."
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