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Roundup: Slain cop of London attack laid to rest

Xinhua, April 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

Thousands of police officers from across Britain lined the streets of Central London Monday for the funeral of slain cop Keith Palmer.

The 48-year-old constable with London's Metropolitan Police was one of five victims killed by Khalid Masood in an attack on March 22 on the Houses of Parliament.

Queen Elizabeth II gave permission for Palmer's body to lie in state in a chapel at the Houses of Parliament, prior to his funeral service at London's Southwark Cathedral.

Palmer was married with a five-year-old daughter and had served in the Metropolitan Police for 15 years. A floral tribute, with the message "No.1 Daddy" was placed at the front of the funeral hearse.

Palmer's family attended a short private service in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft on Sunday as a guard of honor from the police's parliamentary and diplomatic protection command watched over his coffin throughout the night.

The service Monday was attended by 50 members of Palmer's family, including his wife, child, mum and dad, brother and sisters.

More than 2,000 police officers from the Metropolitan Police were on duty for the funeral.

All of those lining the route bowed their heads as the procession passed, with many of the officers weeping with sorrow.

Palmer, unarmed, was attacked and fatally stabbed as he guarded the entrance to the Houses of Parliament. His killer was shot dead by armed officers who raced to assist Palmer.

Thousands of people also lined the route which started at the Palace of Westminster, passing the spot where the officer was killed.

At two-minute silence was held at every police station in Britain, while flags flew at half mast at New Scotland Yard and every police headquarters around the country.

Sara Thornton, from the National Police Chiefs' Council, said Britain had never before seen a funeral on this scale for a fallen police officer.

She said: "Keith didn't hesitate to act when confronted by a terrorist -- his bravery and his courage are something that all officers are very proud of, but also there is a tremendous sense of sadness and of loss." Enditem