Following Wednesday's attack in London near the Westminster Bridge, victims' names are beginning to be released to the public. One of those London attack victims was Police Constable Keith Palmer, a father of two and husband, who had served his nation for 15 years. After the attacker plowed his car through a crowd of bystanders near Westminster Bridge, he charged toward Parliament, stabbing Palmer, who was unarmed, on the way. Just moments later, another officer shot the attacker dead, according to reports.
Palmer was a 48-year-old London Metropolitan officer and a member of the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command. He's being remembered by members of Parliament, London's mayor, and the prime minister herself.
Member of Parliament James Cleverly remembered Palmer on Thursday, saying that he was "a strong, professional public servant, and it was a delight to meet him here again, only few months after being elected." Cleverly said that he had first met Palmer 25 years ago. He went on to ask that British Prime Minister Theresa May honor him on the national level and "consider recognizing his gallantry and sacrifice formally with a posthumous recognition."
May responded with just as much respect for the officer, who was protecting Parliament when he was killed. Speaking of Cleverly's relationship to Palmer, she said:
He bears witness to the tremendous public service that Keith Palmer has given this country in so many ways.
Similarly London's mayor Sadiq Khan honored Palmer's service to his city and country.
Keith Palmer was killed while bravely doing his duty — protecting our city and the heart of our democracy from those who want to destroy our way of life.
Since Palmer's death, his family has received online donations from those who are grateful for the veteran's services. In fact, one woman claimed that years prior, he saved her life in an entirely different situation after she found herself in a car crash. The woman, who called herself Nina, told British radio station LBC that she owes him everything:
He actually did save my life in a car accident on duty when I was a police officer in 2007. I was the passenger and he was one of the police officers who actually helped save my life. I owe him everything. He was a wonderful dad and wonderful husband to his wife. He was fun, he was a laugh, he cared.
Police officers reportedly gathered outside the front door of his home to let his family know what had happened. His service surely will not go unnoticed in the years to come.
