A garden in memory of heroic Shropshire police officer Constable Richard Gray has been dedicated in his home village to honour the sacrifice he made in the line of duty.In a ceremony on Saturday, the garden at Bayston Hill Memorial Hall was blessed to commemorate Constable Gray, who was shot on May 6 last year when he ran to the aid of two unarmed officers being held hostage in Castlefields, Shrewsbury.
His widow Jenny Lee-Gray attended the dedication with friends and family, along with Shropshire divisional commander chief superintendent Guy Rutter.
The Rev David Mawson, force chaplain for West Mercia Police and former vicar of All Saints Church in Castlefields, led people in a prayer.
Speaking before the blessing, he said: “I am very impressed with the garden. It’s simple, which is very appropriate.
“I knew Constable Gray and met him regularly over the last year or two. He was just one of the lads.
“It fell to me to take his funeral service and I have been involved ever since in helping people to work their way through.”
Mr Rutter said: “It’s been a poignant week with the anniversary being so tragic but this is all so uplifting with a real sense of community.
“This is one of those things that will keep his memory alive.
Allan Caswell, chairman of the Memorial Hall committee, said: “It is a fitting memorial to Ricky’s memory.”
The garden was supported by The Village Association, publisher of The Villager magazine, the Shropshire Star and the local Neighbourhood Watch team.
It was designed by Bayston Hill resident Jackie Crick.
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