PC Keith Palmer: Policeman killed in Westminster terror attack given bravery award
PC Palmer has been awarded the outstanding bravery of the year prize in recognition of his efforts to subdue an armed terrorist.
Friday 9 March 2018 17:28, UK
The policeman who was stabbed to death during the Westminster terror attack last year has been given an award for outstanding bravery.
PC Keith Palmer was posthumously honoured by the Metropolitan Police for his heroic response during the attack outside the Houses of Parliament last March, when he confronted attacker Khalid Masood.
The 48-year-old officer, who was married with children, has been named the winner of the Outstanding Bravery of the Year prize at the Met Excellence Awards.
Masood, who was armed with two large knives, had just driven a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge when he came face to face with PC Palmer, fatally wounding him.
The 52-year-old terrorist was shot dead by armed officers shortly after.
Four other people were killed in the Westminster attack.
PC Palmer had served on the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Group since 2016 and had been with the Met for 16 years.
Last year it was announced that he was to be awarded a George Medal in the Queen's civilian gallantry list and will be remembered with memorial stone in Westminster.
A memorial fund was set up in his memory.
Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood was also honoured at the ceremony, being given an outstanding contribution award for his efforts in rushing to help save PC Palmer.
Other winners at the Met Excellence Awards included PC Philip Stone, who coordinates the organisation of the national and international recovery and identification of human remains for the coroner to repatriate them to their families.
PC Stone, who last year coordinated the response to terrorist attacks and human disasters across the UK, was given the police officer of the year accolade.