Police officers lined the route of Pc Keith Palmer’s funeral cortege on Monday to pay their respects to the officer who died defending parliament from a terror attack.
Pc Palmer, 48, was stabbed to death by Khalid Masood who attempted to enter parliament after mowing down dozens of people with a car on Westminster Bridge. After mounting his attack on Palmer, Masood was shot and killed by an armed police officer.
The 2.6-mile route wound through London’s streets from the Palace of Westminster to Southwark Cathedral. The Met said more than 5,000 officers from the force and across the country were expected to gather in central London for the service and to line the route, which has seen dozens of roads closed to traffic for hours.
On Sunday night, police officers were sharing their preparations for paying tribute to Pc Palmer on Twitter.
All set for tomorrow. It's going to be a very emotional day but I'll be proud that I wear the same Uniform as Keith did #StandForKeith pic.twitter.com/3dM3EHPovc
— Barry (@Trojandelta) April 9, 2017
Sad day…Stand Down PC Palmer. Thinking of all attending & everyone else that I know will in some way pay their respects #StandForKeith pic.twitter.com/UYuWgdD2xJ
— Police SeanUnderwood (@sean_police) April 10, 2017
Officers from @WYP_Specials ready to pay their respects in London today. #StandForKeith pic.twitter.com/knVf7jFIeu
— SO Dan Holdsworth (@WYP_SO8463) April 10, 2017
Representatives from police forces across the UK travelled to London to pay their respects.
Our thoughts and prayers are today with family & friends of PC Keith Palmer. Officers attending London to pay their respects #StandForKeith pic.twitter.com/0F1S4MepL8
— GMP City Centre (@GMPCityCentre) April 10, 2017
20 Specials travelling down to London this morning alongside our Regular Colleagues from across Cheshire to #StandForKeith #LestWeForget
— Cheshire Specials (@CheshPolSC) April 10, 2017
Our officers pay their respects to Metropolitan Police Constable Keith Palmer at his funeral today. #standforkeith pic.twitter.com/Z8WzsGm7IN
— Kent Police (UK) (@kent_police) April 10, 2017
#OnTheBeatWith @WoldsSgt: 'Proud to be representing Lincs Police today in London for the funeral of PC Keith Palmer' #StandForKeith pic.twitter.com/OQUMXKspdz
— Lincolnshire Police (@lincspolice) April 10, 2017
Other emergency services also paid tribute to the police officer, whose name has been added to the roll of honour and remembrance at a ceremony at the National Police Memorial on The Mall, in central London, complete with a guard of honour.
Firefighters #StandForKeith today to show our support for all @metpoliceuk colleagues on this very sad day. pic.twitter.com/LmdZ0WzijV
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) April 10, 2017
Today we join those lining the route to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends & colleagues of PC Palmer #StandForKeith pic.twitter.com/Jt1cijUhe8
— London Ambulance (@Ldn_Ambulance) April 10, 2017
Those who couldn’t be there in person shared messages of condolence using the hashtag #StandForKeith.
I can't be there for the funeral of #PCKeithPalmer today but my thoughts are with his family, colleagues #StandForKeith pic.twitter.com/lrhTvkZumO
— Fleur Tedstill (@SgtFTedstill) April 10, 2017
#PoliceFamily showing respect for #StandForKeith RIP ??????@metpoliceuk @JulieMorrish @VWDogs pic.twitter.com/s8RVk93HfX
— AssistanceDogZiggy (@AssistanceZiggy) April 10, 2017
#StandForKeith I can't get to London, but I am there in spirit. Rest well #PCKeithPalmer
— Testudo Denuntiator (@RichKen2006) April 10, 2017