London attack: 'Final' photo of murdered PC Keith Palmer emerges

  • Published
Pc Palmer with Staci MartinImage source, Staci Martin
Image caption,
Staci Martin posed with PC Palmer 45 minutes before he was stabbed

A "final" picture of PC Keith Palmer taken shortly before he was killed in the Westminster attack has emerged.

The photo was taken by US tourist Staci Martin as she posed with the officer 45 minutes before he was stabbed by Khalid Masood outside Parliament.

Others who also met the police officer during visits to the capital have been paying tribute, calling him a "genuinely nice bloke".

A JustGiving page set up for the family of PC Palmer has raised over £600,000.

The Metropolitan Police said that as a mark of respect, the constable's shoulder number, 4157U, would be retired and not reissued to any other officer.

Ms Martin was on a visit from Florida to London when she asked to take a picture with the officer outside Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.

Media caption,

MP's emotional tribute to PC Palmer

"It's my first time in London and I see his hat and I'm like, 'I have to take a picture of him with his hat,'" she told ABC News.

"I walked up to him and said 'do you mind if I take a picture?' He said 'no problem', he was really nice."

She said she felt "obligated" to share the photo to his family which she believed must be one of the last photos of him taken alive.

Image source, Andrew Thorogood/PA
Image caption,
PC Palmer posed for a photo with Andrew Thorogood and his daughters Alexsandra and Georgia

Australian Andrew Thorogood posted a photo of himself and his daughters with PC Palmer which was taken during a visit to London last October.

Writing on Facebook, the 41 year old said he "spoke with Keith for quite a while and found him to be a genuinely nice bloke".

He added that PC Palmer had said "he would love to visit Australia" and his daughters suggested he should visit Alice Springs where they live.

"That will never happen now, all because he was doing his job and trying to keep people safe," he wrote.

Image source, Will Robins/Tyler Chapperley-Russell
Image caption,
Will Robins and Tyler Chapperley-Russell met the PC in 2016

A-level students Will Robins and Tyler Chapperley-Russell had a selfie taken with the PC while on a trip to the capital in 2016.

They described him as ''highly professional'' and ''not your 'typical police officer''.

Others have also come forward to pay tribute to the late officer's bravery, including a former colleague who said he saved her life during a road accident in 2007.

Image source, Charlton Athletic FC
Image caption,
Charlton Athletic paid tribute to PC Palmer by placing a scarf on the season-ticket holder's seat

PC Palmer was an unarmed member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Squad, who had served in the force for 15 years.

He had previously served in the Territorial Support Group (TSG), based in Catford, and in Bromley borough.

His family have said he would be remembered as a "wonderful dad and husband".

Metropolitan Police Federation Chairman Ken Marsh said the PC's family were "overwhelmed" by the amount raised through crowdfunding sites.

"At the moment, there is nothing that can ease the pain of the position they are in... but in time it will help", he said.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
British Transport Police left a message paying tribute to PC Palmer...
Image source, AFP
Image caption,
...as have police officers from the Royal Parks

Many have left messages on the JustGiving page set up by the Federation on Thursday morning.

One person wrote that PC Palmer was "a true hero" who had "displayed unflinching gallantry and bravery" while another said "thank you for all you have done for this country".

Another page set up to raise funds has also made over £5,000.

Image source, AFP
Image caption,
Photos and flowers have been left in Westminster

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