Streets of tears...sad farewell for hero PC
THEY formed a sombre blue line which stretched more than two-and-a-half miles through the very streets he died trying to protect.
But the 5,000 police officers who mourned their brave colleague, Keith Palmer, yesterday were promised that his “blue lamp would shine bright forever”.
Officers from all over Great Britain travelled to London to pay their respects, alongside PC Palmer’s wife Michelle and his daughter Amy, five.
In pristine uniforms, some with service medals pinned to their chests, they lined the coffin’s route from the Houses of Parliament – where PC Palmer was fatally stabbed by Islamic State thug Khalid Masood – to the funeral at Southwark Cathedral.
Six officers bore the coffin, draped in the blue Metropolitan Police flag, from Westminster’s ancient chapel of St Mary Undercroft, to the hearse.
Less than 30 minutes later, they carried it into the cathedral, where a handful of colleagues formed a guard of honour and hundreds more stood quietly in the grounds.
Inside, as 50 members of the Palmer family maintained a dignified, low-key presence, eulogists stressed the importance of the 48-yearold’s sacrifice.
Chief Inspector Neil Sawyer said: “His spirit will never leave us and he will remain an inspiration to us all. Keith’s blue lamp will shine bright forever.
“And on behalf of us all we say thank you. Keith made a difference and we will not forget.”
Chief Insp Sawyer, who knew PC Palmer from his service in south London, praised his old friend for the unflinching bravery he showed during the attack.
Masood, 52, killed four people on Westminster Bridge by ploughing into them in a car, then stabbed PC Palmer to death as he guarded the gates of Parliament.
Chief Inspector Sawyer added: “As police officers, we go to work every day, knowing we may need to be called upon to put our own lives in danger. And many do. And on Wednesday 22 March 2017, Police Constable Keith Palmer did just that.
“To protect us and to protect Parliament. He did not waver.
“He stood firm and made the ultimate sacrifice in doing his duty. A hero to us all. We are all very proud.”
He went on: “We will all miss him greatly. I know this because over the last couple of weeks so many of his colleagues and friends have told me as much.”
As a mark of Government respect for PC Palmer – and by special permission of the Queen – his body was allowed to rest overnight at the chapel usually reserved for such key state figures as Baroness Thatcher.
The hearse was parked alongside a statue of another English hero, King Richard the Lionheart, before the coffin was placed inside.
Among floral tributes visible through its glass were the words “No1 Daddy” in white carnations, as well as “Brother” and “Uncle Keith”.
Nearby, the former soldier’s helmet was left with a single red rose on the spot where he died, as a poignant reminder of his sacrifice.
With the usually-bustling Westminster hub silent apart from the chimes of Big Ben and the whirr of police helicopters above, the car left via the Carriage Gates.
The procession was led by the Metropolitan Police Colour Party and a Black
‘Keith made a difference’