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Tributes paid to shot policeman | Tributes paid to shot policeman |
(about 2 hours 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. | |
The second man to die has been named as Peter Medlicott, 33, from Shrewsbury. | |
The pest control business owner is understood to have killed himself after shooting Pc Gray. | |
A .222 calibre rifle, commonly used in pest control, was recovered from the scene. | |
The fact he had been recommended for five commendations spoke volumes about his character Paul West, West Mercia chief constable Profile: Pc Richard Gray | The fact he had been recommended for five commendations spoke volumes about his character Paul West, West Mercia chief constable Profile: Pc Richard Gray |
A post-mortem examination revealed both men died from single gunshot wounds to the head. | |
The force said a police armed response unit was called to attend a domestic incident at 0610 BST on Sunday in New Park Road. | |
Det Ch Insp Sheila Thornes said two unarmed officers attended the address as there was no early indication of an armed threat. | |
"However, when the officers arrived they were challenged by a man who held them at gunpoint," she said. | |
The officers radioed for help and an armed response vehicle was sent to the scene. | |
"Both authorised firearms officers were armed and as they went forward they were confronted by a man who shot Pc Ricky Gray. | |
"Approximately an hour later, the body of a man, now identified as Medlicott, was located by officers close to the scene," she said. | |
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. |
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. |
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. | 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. |