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Tributes paid to shot policeman | Tributes paid to shot policeman |
(20 minutes later) | |
A 43-year-old policeman shot dead at the scene of a domestic argument had been commended five times for bravery. | A 43-year-old policeman shot dead at the scene of a domestic argument had been commended five times for bravery. |
Married father-of-two Pc Richard Gray, a trained firearms officer, was killed while attending a domestic dispute in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, on Sunday. | Married father-of-two Pc Richard Gray, a trained firearms officer, was killed while attending a domestic dispute in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, on Sunday. |
West Mercia chief constable Paul West said the Dundee born officer, had previously won recognition for his part in the arrests of two armed men. | West Mercia chief constable Paul West said the Dundee born officer, had previously won recognition for his part in the arrests of two armed men. |
Mr West said Pc Gray was a popular officer who would be sorely missed. | Mr West said Pc Gray was a popular officer who would be sorely missed. |
The gunman is said to have killed himself following Sunday's shooting. | The gunman is said to have killed himself following Sunday's shooting. |
The force said a police armed response unit was called to attend a domestic incident at 0610 BST on Sunday. | The force said a police armed response unit was called to attend a domestic incident at 0610 BST on Sunday. |
The fact he had been recommended for five commendations spoke volumes about his character Paul West, West Mercia chief constable | The fact he had been recommended for five commendations spoke volumes about his character Paul West, West Mercia chief constable |
Det Ch Insp Sheila Thornes, who is heading the investigation, said the constable's weapon had not been fired. | Det Ch Insp Sheila Thornes, who is heading the investigation, said the constable's weapon had not been fired. |
"The ammunition allocated to the officer is all accounted for and there is no evidence of police weapons being discharged," she said. | "The ammunition allocated to the officer is all accounted for and there is no evidence of police weapons being discharged," she said. |
She said police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting. | She said police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting. |
Family 'devastated' | Family 'devastated' |
The suspected gunman, reported to be a former gamekeeper in his 30s, was found dead at the scene close to his flat and a weapon was recovered. | The suspected gunman, reported to be a former gamekeeper in his 30s, was found dead at the scene close to his flat and a weapon was recovered. |
Pc Gray, known as Ricky, married his long-term partner last year. | Pc Gray, known as Ricky, married his long-term partner last year. |
Pc Gray was shot while attending a domestic disturbance | Pc Gray was shot while attending a domestic disturbance |
Mr West told a press conference on Monday that the police officer's family was "understandably devastated". | Mr West told a press conference on Monday that the police officer's family was "understandably devastated". |
"Pc Gray was an excellent officer. He was very popular with his colleagues, extremely well-liked and held in the highest regard," Mr West said. | "Pc Gray was an excellent officer. He was very popular with his colleagues, extremely well-liked and held in the highest regard," Mr West said. |
"The fact he had been recommended for five commendations spoke volumes about his character." | "The fact he had been recommended for five commendations spoke volumes about his character." |
Pc Gray received a divisional commendation for rescuing a man trying to jump from Shrewsbury's English Bridge into the River Severn, the conference was told. | Pc Gray received a divisional commendation for rescuing a man trying to jump from Shrewsbury's English Bridge into the River Severn, the conference was told. |
He also received a chief constable's commendation for his part in the arrest of an "unstable" man with a firearm. | He also received a chief constable's commendation for his part in the arrest of an "unstable" man with a firearm. |
Pc Gray was additionally recognised for his part in arresting a violent man with a semi-automatic pistol who tried to escape police in a stop-check in April, 2006, in Shrewsbury. | Pc Gray was additionally recognised for his part in arresting a violent man with a semi-automatic pistol who tried to escape police in a stop-check in April, 2006, in Shrewsbury. |
The officer had previously worked for Cheshire Constabulary, serving in the Warrington area from 1997. He later joined the armed response unit before transferring to West Mercia Police in 2003. |