Memorial held for policeman killed in the Westminster Bridge terrorist attack four years ago

A memorial has been held today for the police officer killed in the Westminster Bridge terrorist attack four years ago.

PC Keith Palmer, from Bexley, was stabbed to death as he guarded an entrance to the Palace of Westminster in March 2017.

Cressider Dick, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament attended a memorial service to pay tribute to the father-of-one.

On this day four years ago, Khalid Masood killed four people and injured 50 more when he ploughed his car into crowds on the bridge, before stabbing PC Palmer.

Despite being unarmed, PC Palmer had stopped the knife-wielding terrorist from entering the Palace of Westminster and received the George Medal for his bravery.

PC Palmer had been a member of the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP) and prior to joining PaDP, he had been in the Territorial Support Group based in Catford.

He had a passion for Charlton Athletic football club, who honoured him after his death by replacing his regular seat at The Valley Stadium with a white chair bearing his warrant number.

The socially distanced service of remembrance and wreath-laying was led by the Reverend Prebendary Jonathan Osborne, and the Reverend Tricia Hillas, the Met’s Senior Chaplain and the Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The service was delivered in line with current Covid guidance provided by the Government, which meant that the memorial service was a much smaller event than it would have been in normal circumstances.

Commissioner Dick attended the memorial service at midday in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft and gave a reading from the Bible’s Revelation 21: 1-7 on behalf of the Met before placing a wreath at a plaque laid in PC Palmer’s memory at New Palace Yard.

Wreaths were also laid by PC Brian Pease and PC Lindsay McCree, on behalf of PC Palmer’s family and colleagues, as well as by The Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle and the Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler’, representing the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Commissioner Cressida Dick, said: “Keith was a brave and dedicated police officer and four years ago today, he made the ultimate sacrifice by acting with complete selflessness to protect others.

“We should never forget the courage and heroism this outstanding officer displayed during those terrible events.

“Today my thoughts are with Keith’s family, his friends and his colleagues who all loved him so very much. I am also thinking of the other victims who lost their lives or were injured on that tragic day.”