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Funeral service for shot officer | Funeral service for shot officer |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The funeral has taken place of a police officer who was shot while attending a domestic dispute in Shropshire. | |
Pc Richard Gray, 43, originally from Dundee, was shot during an incident in Castlefields, Shrewsbury, on 6 May. | |
The suspected gunman, Peter Medlicott, was later also found dead at the property. | The suspected gunman, Peter Medlicott, was later also found dead at the property. |
More than 700 mourners attended the service at the Abbey Church in Shrewsbury, which will be followed by a private burial. | |
The funeral was conducted with full police and military honours. | The funeral was conducted with full police and military honours. |
Lone piper | Lone piper |
West Mercia Police Chief Constable Paul West said Pc Gray "was trusted and reliable". | West Mercia Police Chief Constable Paul West said Pc Gray "was trusted and reliable". |
The 43-year-old had been commended five times for bravery including for his part in the arrests of two armed men. | |
Pc Gray married his long-term partner last year | Pc Gray married his long-term partner last year |
Mr West added: "His expertise was greatly admired and he was always prepared to lead from the front. | |
"In short, he was a gentleman, a role model for others and ultimately a hero." | "In short, he was a gentleman, a role model for others and ultimately a hero." |
Pc Matt Crisp, who worked with Pc Gray for four years, told the service working with him was like being in the movies. | |
He described how Pc Gray commandeered a taxi in Shrewsbury town centre, shouting to the driver: "Follow that man." | |
Another colleague, Pc Chris Duffner, said Pc Gray was courageous and had a dry wit. | |
He said: "Where life depended on the actions we might take, if he needed to, Ricky never for a moment hesitated in going forward. | |
"Rick was always there 100% - no half measures. | |
'Soul-mates' | |
"He was always there for us, never to be doubted, one of only a few who I would truly trust my life with." | |
Pc Gray's brother-in-law Terrence Lee delivered a eulogy on his family's behalf. | |
He said: "Ricky was a great friend and a beacon of calm and serenity to our family. | |
"Above all, he was a wonderful husband to Jenny. Ricky enjoyed what Jenny enjoyed, because they were soul-mates. | |
"He loved his family, he loved his friends and he loved life. We loved Ricky and we will cherish forever the memories we have of him." | |
Pc Gray, who had two grown-up sons from his first marriage, had married Jenny in Venice last August. | |
She walked behind the coffin with 40 marching officers from Shrewsbury police station. | |
The procession was led by a lone piper from his former regiment, the Black Watch, and a West Mercia Constabulary standard bearer. | |
It had also passed by the police station so colleagues could pay respects. | |
The service was conducted by Rev David Mawson, chaplain for the police force's Shropshire division. | The service was conducted by Rev David Mawson, chaplain for the police force's Shropshire division. |