ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY: TRIBUTES TO FALLEN POLICE HERO Keith was a wonderful son, brother and dad.. we love him so much
Family tell of devastating loss» MPs mourn murdered pal
THE appalling loss of PC Keith Palmer hit home yesterday as his devastated family and weeping MPs paid moving tributes.
A statement on behalf of loved ones, including his grieving wife and five-year-old daughter, read: “He will be remembered as a wonderful dad and husband, a loving son, brother and uncle.
“He was a friend to everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed. We love him so much.”
Their sentiments echoed around Parliament where the unarmed officer – stabbed to death by terrorist Khalid Masood – offered a warm welcome to MPs and tourists alike.
An MP and former Army colleague fought back tears speaking of his friend in the Commons as tributes poured in from as far afield as Australia. Another ex-police colleague told how he saved her life in a car crash.
And PC Palmer’s beloved Charlton Athletic football club draped a scarf over his season ticket seat at The Valley ground in South East London.
“Keith was a true hero who will be greatly missed,” a spokesman for the club said.
James Cleverly, MP for Braintree, told the Commons how he first met “Gunner Palmer” 25 years ago when they served in the Royal Artillery.
Struggling to keep his emotions in check, he said the fallen officer was a “strong, professional public servant.”
He asked the Prime Minister to consider recognising PC Palmer, 48, with a posthumous honour.
He was backed by Rhondda Labour MP Chris Bryant who suggested a commemorative shield in the Commons chamber – customary for MPs killed in office – “because he was our shield and defender”.
Mrs May replied to Mr Cleverly: “Having served in our armed forces and then come here and paid the ultimate sacrifice at the heart of our democracy, I can assure my honourable friend that the issue that he’s raised is of course one that will be considered in due course.” She also spoke about the bravery of MP Tobias Ellwood who desperately tried to save PC Palmer’s life. There were calls for him to be knighted, as he stood quietly, head bowed and arms folded, listening to the tributes. MPs had observed a minute’s silence for the dead officer at 9.33am – in honour of his shoulder number, 933. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn expressed his condolences for PC Palmer who “gave his life in defence of the public and of our democracy” and also praised brave Mr Ellwood.
Army veteran Tony Davis, now a GB Boxing coach, had also tried to help PC Palmer on Wednesday afternoon, leaping over a fence when he saw the attack.
He said on TV: “I saw a large chap brandishing two knives come through the gates and start attacking. Police were holding their ground and that is when poor Keith got attacked.
“He was bleeding profusely. He had an initial head wound which didn’t look too bad although it was bleeding.
“He had another wound in his arm and another one which I believe was probably the fatal one under
his rib.” PC Palmer was a member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Squad, with 15 years’ service. PC James Aitkenhead, who had worked with him in the Met’s territorial support group, said: “Keith was a genuinely nice person; nobody had a bad word to say about him.
“When I heard what had happened I knew it would be him because that’s the sort of guy he was, to step straight in when others might step back.”
Met counter-terrorism chief Mark Rowley said PC Palmer “was someone who left for work expecting to return home at the end of his shift, and had every right to expect that”.
Explaining why the dad of one was unarmed, he said: “Our parliamentary protection team are a combination of armed and unarmed officers doing different roles.”
One former officer, identified only as Nina from Orpington, Kent, rang a radio station to tell how PC Palmer had previously saved her life. “I wanted to let everybody know what a wonderful man he was,” she said. “I had a car accident on duty. He saved my life. I owe him everything.”
She went on: “I know every time somebody passes away they say ‘oh he was such a lovely person’ – but he really was. He cared about what he was doing. He didn’t just do his job to go and get paid. He actually cared about people. He really did, he was a lovely man. Everyone will miss him.”
Proof of that came from the Thorogood family in Australia. Dad Andrew said on Facebook: “He was happy to pose with us for a photo once he learned we’d travelled from Alice Springs. It sent a shiver down my spine when I saw Keith was killed.”