Family of murdered Pc Keith Palmer pay tribute to ‘wonderful dad and husband’
He has been described as a “lovely man” following his death in the terror attack on Westminster.
Pc Keith Palmer was a “wonderful dad and husband, a loving son, brother and uncle” who will be “deeply missed”, his family said.
The 48-year-old married father, who was killed in the Westminster terror attack, was “dedicated to his job and proud to be a police officer, brave and courageous”.
In a statement, his family added that he was a “long-time supporter of Charlton FC”, and a “friend to everyone who knew him”.
They said: “He will be deeply missed. We love him so much.
“His friends and family are shocked and devastated by his loss and ask that they are left to grieve alone in peace.”
It is with great sadness that the club has learned of the tragic death of loyal fan, PC Keith Palmer –> https://t.co/4YED5bCx7j #cafc pic.twitter.com/TQbKSrGFET
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) March 23, 2017
Pc Palmer was stabbed to death in the attack on Wednesday while on duty at the Houses of Parliament.
He joined the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in April 2016, having previously worked in the Territorial Support Group (TSG).
Pc James Aitkenhead, who worked alongside Keith in the TSG, praised his former colleague as a “genuinely nice person” for whom “nobody had a bad word to say”.
“When I heard what had happened I knew it would be him because that’s just the sort of guy he was, to step straight in when others might step back.”
He said Pc Palmer had a “great work ethic” and “was always so positive, always staying late after everyone else and getting in early”.
My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of PC Keith Palmer. A brave man.
— James Cleverly MP (@JamesCleverly) March 22, 2017
Inspector Mark Turner, from the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, who most recently worked with Pc Palmer, said: “He really was a solid reliable member of the team – he came in and just got the job done, quietly and efficiently.
“He was a fantastic member of staff and will be sorely missed.”
Speaking in Parliament the day after the incident, his former colleague, Conservative MP James Cleverly, paid a tearful tribute to the man he met 25 years ago as part of Battery 100 Regiment, Royal Artillery.
Fellow supporters, colleagues and politicians also paid tribute.
Our flag flies at half-mast to mark the death of PC Keith Palmer and the other victims of yesterday's attack #Westminster pic.twitter.com/dN8IoVFFD1
— G M Police (@gmpolice) March 23, 2017
PC Keith Palmer. Our brave Met #Police colleague who today made the ultimate sacrifice #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/i5L4dQSNuC
— Met Police Fed (@MPFed) March 22, 2017
As I go to sleep tonight it is with profound thanks to PC Keith Palmer & all our security officers.
And profound sorrow for all the victims pic.twitter.com/OwgeQYrRNT— Barry Gardiner (@BarryGardiner) March 23, 2017
Deeply sad that a brave PC, Keith Palmer, died in the service of his country, doing his duty today. We should be proud to know such men.
— Geoffrey Cox QC MP (@Geoffrey_Cox) March 22, 2017
