Tributes paid to shot policeman

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Former army colleagues of a policeman shot dead during a domestic disturbance has paid tribute to a "lovely man" who would do anything to help anyone.

Pc Richard Gray, from Dundee, died at the scene after the shooting in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, on Sunday.

The 43-year-old married father, known as Ricky, had been commended for bravery five times.

Pc Gray joined the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch in 1981 and served for 16 years before becoming a policeman.

Ally Alcorn, who joined the army on the same day as Pc Gray, said: "Ricky and me were both from Dundee and he was a great support to me and I hope I was a great support to him during the training - we ended up in the same company together.

He was a great success in everything he did and was a fantastic comrade - supportive and loyal to all his friends Ally Alcorn

"Ricky was very funny and had a great wit. He was a great character and was also a great Dundee United supporter.

Mr Alcorn, who is now a train driver with First Scotrail, added: "Ricky had bags of drive and determination and was an all round super guy.

"He was a great success in everything he did and was a fantastic comrade - supportive and loyal to all his friends. He will be a great loss."

Another former army colleague Sgt Frank Proctor, who served with Pc Gray in Northern Ireland and Germany, said he was shocked to hear of his death.

"He was well-liked within the Black Watch and was a really warm, friendly guy who enjoyed sports and activities," he said.

Firearms officer

Sgt Proctor, who now serves with the Royal Logistics Corps, added: "He was a person who was always willing to pass on his knowledge and was always keen to get the best results. He was very good at his job and just got on with everyone.

"When we were serving in Northern Ireland together I didn't drive and he used to offer me lifts because we came from the same area back home."

A post-mortem examination has revealed that Pc Gray and gunman Peter Medlicott both died from single gunshot wounds.

Medlicott is believed to have shot Pc Gray with a .222 calibre rifle he used for pest control work, before turning the weapon on himself.

The incident happened at 0610 BST on Sunday in New Park Road, Shrewsbury.

Pc Gray was born in Dundee and attended the city's St Saviour's High School.

During his time with the Black Watch he served seven times in Northern Ireland as well as serving in Germany, Hong Kong, England and Scotland.

He married his long-term partner Jenny at a ceremony in Venice last year.

The couple had been together for 16 years and he had two grown-up sons from a previous marriage.

PC Gray joined Cheshire Constabulary in 1997 and was based in Warrington. He qualified as a firearms officer in 2000 before moving to West Mercia in 2003.