TRIBUTES have been paid to Met Police officer PC Keith Palmer \u2013 bravely killed on duty in London protecting Parliament from a terrorist attack.<\/p>\n
PC Palmer \u2013 a member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command \u2013 was 48 years old, had 15 years\u2019 service and was a husband and a father.\u00a0PC Palmer was unarmed as he ran towards danger and sadly made the ultimate sacrifice.<\/span><\/p>\n A statement from his family said: \u201cKeith will be remembered as a wonderful dad and husband. A loving son, brother and uncle. A long-time supporter of Charlton FC.<\/p>\n \u201cDedicated to his job and proud to be a police officer, brave and courageous. A friend to everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed. We love him so much.\u201d<\/p>\n An online fund created for the family by the Metropolitan Police Federation had raised over \u00a3700,000 at the time of writing.<\/p>\n PC Palmer\u2019s family added: \u201cWe have been overwhelmed by the love and support for our family, and most especially, the outpouring of love and respect for our Keith.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to thank everyone who has reached out to us over the past few days for their kindness and generosity. The police have been a constant, unwavering support at this very difficult time. It has made us realise what a caring, strong and supportive family Keith was part of during his career with the police. We can\u2019t thank them enough.<\/p>\n \u201cWe would also like to express our gratitude to the people who were with Keith in his last moments and who were working that day. There was nothing more you could have done.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did your best and we are just grateful he was not alone. We care about him being remembered for his selfless bravery and loving nature. We miss him so much, but we are also incredibly proud of Keith.\u201d<\/p>\n PC Keith Palmer joined the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command in April 2016 and before that was in the Territorial Support Group (TSG), based at Catford but patrolling and working across London. Prior to the TSG, he was based on Bromley borough between 2002 and 2009.<\/p>\n Keith, who was 48 and joined the Met in November 2001, was married with a five-year-old daughter.<\/p>\n Keith was nominated in 2015 for best thief taker in the Commissioner\u2019s Excellence Awards, having made more than 150 arrests in 12 months.<\/p>\n As a mark of respect Keith\u2019s shoulder number \u2013 4157U \u2013 will be retired and not reissued to any other officer.<\/p>\n Metropolitan Police Federation Chairman Ken Marsh said: \u201cWe offer our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of PC Keith Palmer. Our thoughts are also with all those killed and injured in the incident in Westminster.<\/p>\n \u201cThis incident sadly shows the dangers our colleagues face on a daily basis. They show incredible bravery protecting the public. PC Palmer ran towards extreme danger to protect us all.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Metropolitan Police Federation will be supporting the officer\u2019s colleagues in any way we can.\u201d<\/p>\n