Hundreds of people gathered together to celebrate the life of a Shropshire policeman killed in the line of duty.

Constable Ricky Gray was shot on May 6 last year as he rushed to the aid of unarmed colleagues being held at gunpoint by Peter Medlicott in New Park Road, Castlefields, Shrewsbury.

A memorial service was held at St Chad’s Church in Shrewsbury yesterday followed by the dedication of a memorial stone in The Dingle in The Quarry park.

The Reverend David Mawson, West Mercia Constabulary force chaplain said: “Sixteen months ago almost exactly to the date, on that Sunday Ricky lost his life so tragically in the course of duty in Castlefields.

“It was an event which shocked not just local communities but which made an impression across the whole country and beyond.

“Here we are today to celebrate Ricky and his memory.

“This is not a funeral service, it is a celebration.”

Music and words, read and performed during the service were chosen by constable Gray’s widow, Jenny Lee-Gray to reflect what her husband would have chosen.

They included All is Well by Canon Henry Scott Holland, read by West Mercia Chief Constable Paul West, psalm 121, read by Chief Inspector Damien Smethurst, of Cheshire Constabulary, and A Man’s a Man for A’ That by Robbie Burns, read by Gordon Ross, who served with Constable Gray during various tours of duty while in the Black Watch.

Following the service police staff formed a guard of honour through The Quarry leading to The Dingle and Mrs Lee-Gray, together with Mr West, were led by Black Watch pipes to the site of the memorial on the banks of the pond.

Mr West said: “We dedicate this memorial to the memory of police constable Richard Gray who so valiantly gave his life in the service of this town and community.

“May it stand here as a permanent reminder to him.”

The dedication was followed by a minute’s silence, during which the bells of St Chad’s rang out.

The pipers then played a final tribute before the crowds filed past the memorial to see the inscription.

By Rhea Parsons