Widow gets bravery award for shot Pc
A Shropshire policeman killed while protecting his colleagues has been posthumously awarded the Captain Webb medal for "courage and bravery" - the first time it has been given in more than 40 years. A Shropshire policeman killed while protecting his colleagues has been posthumously awarded the Captain Webb medal for "courage and bravery" - the first time it has been given in more than 40 years.Constable Richard Gray, who was 43, was shot and killed in Castlefields, Shrewsbury, on May 6 last year while responding to a domestic incident. Although he lost his own life his actions protected two unarmed colleagues and the public. In a special ceremony at Shrewsbury Flower Show yesterday The Shropshire Society of London presented the silver medal to Mr Gray's widow Jenny Lee-Gray. The medal was awarded for the first time in 1916 after being forged to mark the achievements of Captain Matthew Webb, of Dawley, who swam the Channel. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
A Shropshire policeman killed while protecting his colleagues has been posthumously awarded the Captain Webb medal for "courage and bravery" - the first time it has been given in more than 40 years.Constable Richard Gray, who was 43, was shot and killed in Castlefields, Shrewsbury, on May 6 last year while responding to a domestic incident. Although he lost his own life his actions protected two unarmed colleagues and the public.
In a special ceremony at Shrewsbury Flower Show yesterday The Shropshire Society of London presented the silver medal to Mr Gray's widow Jenny Lee-Gray.
The medal was awarded for the first time in 1916 after being forged to mark the achievements of Captain Matthew Webb, of Dawley, who swam the Channel.
Presenting the medal for the first time since 1967 The High Sheriff of Shropshire Anne Gee read a citation.
She said: "Through the selfless and courageous actions on May 6, 2007, Police Constable Richard Gray helped to save the lives of two colleagues who were threatened at gunpoint and members of the public who were the intended victims of the aggressor."
Mrs Lee-Gray was also given honorary membership of the Shropshire Society of London and received a standing ovation from the crowd after receiving the award on behalf of her late husband.
David Tudor, chairman of the society, said: "For nigh on 40 years this medal has not been awarded.
"It seemed to us as a society that it was time we did award it to someone who had displayed tremendous courage in their actions in this county."
The presentation was attended by a number of special guests including The Lord Lieutenant Algernon Heber Percy, Chief Constable of West Mercia Police Paul West, President of the Shropshire Horticultural Society Robin Thompson and chairman of Shropshire County Council Brian Gillow.
The medal was previously awarded to people who had committed an act of bravery by saving somebody from water but Mr Tudor said it had been decided that should be extended to any outstanding act of physical courage.
By Rhea Parsons
