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Medal set to honour shot officer
Friday 15th August 2008, 11:50AM BST.
Brave Shropshire police officer Richard Gray who was shot dead in the line of duty will be honoured today when he becomes the first recipient of a prestigious award in more than 40 years.The historic Captain Webb medal for bravery was due to be presented to Mr Gray’s widow Jenny Lee-Gray this afternoon in a special ceremony at the flower show.
Members of the Shropshire Society in London decided to recognise the gallantry of the officer who was killed in May last year.
Constable Gray put his own safety second to save two colleagues who were being held hostage by gunman Pete Medlicott.
David Tudor, chairman of the Shropshire Society, said Mr Gray was the first person to receive the award since 1967.
He said: “The medal was first struck in 1916 and awarded in the same year in honour of Captain Webb.
“It was awarded in the early 1900s and it was strictly limited at that stage to rescuing people in water. But after a long gap, since 1967, we decided it should be widened to any outstanding act of physical courage. And I am glad we did because the recipient is Richard Gray.”
The medal was due to be presented to Mrs Lee-Gray at the show at 4pm.
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