While a wife and a little girl grieve for hero PC
‘He always put others before his own safety’
IN the words of the Prime Minister, he was every inch a hero.
To the thousands of visitors to the Palace of Westminster, PC Keith Palmer was the friendly bobby who was never too busy to chat or pose for a picture.
And to his family he was simply a ‘wonderful dad and husband’.
But yesterday it also emerged that to his colleagues he was a supercop – who was once nominated as ‘best thief-taker’ for making 150 arrests in a year.
Theresa May yesterday led tributes to the 48-year-old murdered at Parliament by knife-wielding Khalid Masood who had minutes earlier mown down scores of innocent pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.
The unarmed officer was stabbed multiple times as he tried to stop Masood entering Westminster Hall before the terrorist was shot dead by another policeman.
PC Palmer sustained three knife wounds to his head, his arm and one to the side of his ribs.
Weeping officers pleaded, ‘Keith, please stay with me’, as they and MP Tobias Ellwood battled to resuscitate him, but he died just minutes later.
Last night tearful colleagues, family and friends spoke of both his exceptional courage and the hugs, laughter and sunshine he brought to so many lives.
His heartbroken widow Michelle Palmer, 34, said: ‘We love him so much.’
Mrs Palmer, with whom he has a fiveyear-old daughter Amy, added: ‘Keith will be remembered as a wonderful dad and husband. A loving son, brother and uncle. A long-time supporter of Charlton FC.
‘Dedicated to his job and proud to be a police officer, brave and courageous. A friend to everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed. His friends and family are shocked and devastated by his loss.’ Yesterday tourists from as far afield as Australia posted images of themselves alongside a beaming PC Palmer on social media, sharing memories of the officer who always gave them a warm welcome at the Houses of Parliament.
There were mounting calls yesterday for the policeman to receive the George Medal as it emerged that he was an extraordinary policeman.
One former officer said she owed him her life after she was injured in a road accident. Nina Whitehead was a front passenger in a patrol car when it crashed into a van, but PC Palmer kept her alive until paramedics arrived.
‘He was already a hero. In my eyes he always will be,’ she said. ‘I literally owe him my life. I want to tell people how lovely he was and how brave he was.’
In an interview with LBC radio, she said she was devastated by his death, adding: ‘I was in an accident ten years ago and he was one of the first officers to attend.
‘I was in a police car on duty and my driver hit a white van and I got it all. Keith kept me alive until the ambulance got there. I spent three months in hospital and had to learn to walk again.
‘He would come in and see me in hospital a bit. He’d always give me a big cuddle when he came in. I owe him everything. He was a wonderful dad and wonderful husband to his wife.’
Miss Whitehead, who was medically retired after the crash, went on: ‘ He was just really friendly, always laughing and bringing cakes into work to cheer us all up.
‘He was lovable and funny, but when it came to his work he was professional, hands on, and he always put others before his own safety, like he did [ on Wednesday].’
PC Palmer, who was a member of the Metropolitan Police’s parliamentary and diplomatic protection command, had served with the force for 15 years.
Two years ago he was nominated for ‘ best thief taker’ in the Commissioner’s Excellence Awards, having made more than 150 arrests in 12 months.
PC James Aitkenhead, who worked with him at Westminster, said: ‘When I heard what had happened I knew it would be him because that’s just the sort of guy he was, to step straight in when others might step back.’
Incoming Met commissioner Cressida Dick said: ‘We will never forget his courage. My deepest sympathy is with his family and with the loved ones of everyone who lost their lives.’
Before he joined Scotland Yard, PC Palmer served as a reservist in the Royal Artillery from August 1987 to August 2001, leaving as a bombardier.
His friend David Derby, who served with him, said: ‘He was an amazing guy. He would always want to help people out and give people encouragement. He wanted to go above and beyond in his job. That’s why he joined the police force and died in the cause of duty, protecting the people of London, it cost him his life.’
Mrs May added: ‘PC Palmer had devoted his life to the service of his country… ‘He was every inch a hero, and his actions will never be forgotten.’
Last night a chorus of MPs called for a lasting memorial to the policeman, who is believed to be the first officer to die in the line of duty within Westminster.
Labour’s Chris Bryant suggested PC Palmer should be given a commemorative heraldic shield in the Commons chamber ‘because he was our shield and defender’ during the attack.
The Speaker’s chaplain, Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, led prayers for the officer during a chapel service in the House of Commons at the edge of Westminster Hall, where Margaret Thatcher and Tony Benn both lay in state.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, also joined those sending prayers and thoughts to the family of PC Palmer. Last night the officer’s portrait rested against a wall close to the spot where he was murdered.
Meanwhile, in a moving tribute at the ground of his beloved Charlton Athletic Football Club, a single red and white scarf was laid on the seat he had occupied for many years.
The Metropolitan Police Federation launched an official memorial page for his family which by last night had raised more than £300,000.
Scotland Yard said that PC Palmer’s shoulder number, 4157U, would be retired and not reissued to any other officer as a mark of respect.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: ‘He was courageous, he was brave, and he was doing his duty.
‘And he was not alone in doing that. I know that all officers of the Met are like that and in my experience, so are all policemen.
‘I want us to say thank you to them all for the great sacrifice and risks they take to keep us safe.’
Last night the officer’s aunt June Woolacombe, said: ‘I’m too upset. It’s a shock. He was a lovely boy.’
Her daughter Susan Roberts added: ‘I’m devastated. I can’t believe it.’