TRUE HEROES
Brave cop gave his life tackling jihadi at Parliament Grandad, 78, risked everything to help MP Jo
TWO British heroes, a policeman and a pensioner.
One laid down his life, and the other risked his, fighting terrorists on our streets.
PC Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old father of one, was murdered outside the Houses of Parliament in March as he tackled Westminster Bridge madman Khalid Masood.
Grandad Bernard Kenny, 78, suffered horrific stab wounds in June last year as he fought in vain to stop fascist Thomas Mair murdering Labour MP Jo Cox.
Now both have been honoured with the George Medal, second only to the George Cross for gallantry by civilians.
Metropolitan Police chief Cressida Dick said of Keith’s award: “It could not be more deserved, and will mean a great deal to all who knew and loved him.
“I know I speak on behalf of all my officers and staff when I say how immensely proud we all are.”
Keith was on duty at the Palace of
Westminster on March 22 when Masood, armed with two knives, tried to rush past him and get inside.
The maniac had just murdered four people by ramming them with his car on Westminster Bridge.
Keith rushed to stop Masood and was fatally stabbed. His medal citation says he bought vital time for other officers, who shot the terrorist dead.
It adds: “PC Palmer’s bravery and professionalism unquestionably saved lives. PC Palmer did his duty.
“He stood his ground and placed himself between Parliament and a terrorist determined to harm those within. In doing so he made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Keith joined the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Group in 2016. Dick said: “Keith acted that day with no thought for his own safety, intent simply on doing his job and protecting the public and Parliament.”
Retired miner Bernard was sitting in his car waiting for his wife outside the library in his home village of Birstall, Yorkshire, on June 16 last year when he saw Mair attack local MP Jo.
The Hitler-loving terrorist yelled: “Britain first!” as he shot and stabbed the 41-year-old mother of two, who was slightly built and stood just 5ft tall.
Without a thought, dad-of-two and grandad Bernard rushed to help.
In a police statement read at Mair’s trial, he said: “I ran across – I was only parked two cars away. He had his back to me and I was planning to jump on his shoulders. “I thought, ‘If I can jump on the back of him, I can take him down.’ “I thought he was thumping her until I saw the blood. “I saw he had a knife in his hands. It was what I call a dagger. The blade was about nine inches. “Just as I got short of him, he turned around and saw me. He shoved the knife in and it hit me in the stomach. “The blood started pouring out between my fingers. I saw the blood and I thought, ‘Oh my God.’”
Mair’s blade pierced Bernard’s liver and just missed his heart. He spent four days in hospital.
More than 80,000 people signed an online petition calling for Bernard to be awarded the George Cross for his “act of supreme bravery”.
A letter posted on the petition site said: “At this time, when the country is dominated by fear and hate, we think a man motivated only by selfless courage and love should be honoured.”
Bernard is one of four people who witnessed the horrors of that day to be honoured in the Queen’s Birthday list.
The two police officers who arrested Mair, PC Craig Nicholls and PC Jonathan Wright, are awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal.
And Jo’s senior caseworker, Sandra Major, receives an MBE for parliamentary services and service to the community in the Batley and Spen constituency.
Sandra saw her friend being killed. Jo bravely told her and others to stay back and protect themselves as Mair attacked.
Mair was given a whole-life sentence for the murder. He pled not guilty and has shown no remorse.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd praised the courage of all the heroes honoured, particularly those from the emergency services.
She said: “The tragic events at Grenfell Tower and the terrorist atrocities in recent weeks have brought home to us all how skilled and courageous our emergency services are.
“At a time of great sadness, I am proud police officers and firefighters have been honoured. Our emergency services are the very best of us.”