Murdered officer honoured at funeral
A police guard of honour was formed at the funeral of off-duty officer PC Ian Dibell who was shot dead last month.
A police guard of honour was formed at the funeral of off-duty officer PC Ian Dibell who was shot dead last month.
The family of the 41-year-old officer led the mourning with the funeral procession passing through an Essex Police Guard of Honour, formed by 24 officers who were close colleagues of PC Dibell.
Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle saluted PC Dibells coffin as it arrived at Weeley Crematorium, near Clacton. Essex Police Authority Chair Anthony Jackson, and Douglas Carswell MP for Clacton also attended.
Six pallbearers carried the coffin on its last journey, draped in the Essex Police flag, with the officers police helmet resting on top. Mr Barker-McCardle also delivered a eulogy to PC Dibell during the service.
Inquests into the deaths of both PC Dibell and gunman Peter Reeve, who was found dead the following morning on July 10 with a handgun in a churchyard at Writtle, near Chelmsford, have been opened and adjourned. It is thought PC Dibell was shot after intervening in a row in Redbridge Road, Clacton, in which a man was also wounded.
The police investigation into the killing of PC Dibell – described as a hero by his family – is continuing.
The force is now working with PC Dibells family to hold a memorial service and celebration of his life in St James Church, Clacton, on August 15, 2012.