Keith Palmer

Keith David Palmer (3 October 1968 – 22 March 2017) was a British police officer who was posthumously awarded the George Medal, the second-highest award for gallantry "not in the face of the enemy". Though unarmed, he stopped Khalid Masood, a knife-wielding terrorist from entering the Palace of Westminster during the 2017 Westminster attack; he was fatally wounded in the attack. He had worked for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) for 16 years, and had joined the force's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Group in April 2016. From 2002 to 2009, he served in the London Borough of Bromley. In April 2016, he joined the MPS's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Group. At approximately 14:40, he was approached by Khalid Masood, who was armed with two knives. Though unarmed, Palmer confronted Masood in an attempt to stop him. Masood fatally injured Palmer during this encounter. By confronting Masood, Palmer delayed him long enough for his armed colleagues to arrive and shoot Masood dead.

Funeral

Palmer was granted the rare honour of lying in rest in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, Palace of Westminster; other recipients of this honour include: the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 2013 and the former Postmaster General Tony Benn in 2014. On 9 April 2017, his coffin was received into the chapel with a guard of honour of police officers. A private service was then held for his family.

The following day, on 10 April, Palmer's coffin travelled in procession to Southwark Cathedral, escorted by motorcycle outriders from the Special Escort Group of the Metropolitan Police. The route was long and avoided Westminster Bridge where the terrorist attack had begun. Instead, the procession crossed the Thames over Lambeth Bridge, during which a ten-second horn salute was given by boats on the river.

Palmer was a supporter of Charlton Athletic and held a season ticket.

Honours In the 2017 Birthday Honours, Palmer was awarded the George Medal (GM) "for confronting an armed terrorist to protect others and Parliament". In recognition of his sacrifice, the Metropolitan Police Service retired his shoulder number (4157U) and stated that it would "not be reissued to any other officer". He was awarded the outstanding bravery of the year award at the 2018 Met Excellence Awards.