The victim died in hospital after the gunman, who was being detained, opened fire at Croydon custody centre in south London during the early hours of Friday. The 23-year-old murder suspect is in a critical condition in hospital with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after he was held at the scene. Scotland Yard said no police firearms were fired during the incident at around 2.15am.
Sky’s Martin Brunt said: “He’s a long-serving officer nearing the end of his retirement which I guess in some people’s minds will add to the tragedy of what’s happened.
“He has an extended family. Some members who live abroad.
“We understand because of the time difference Met police are very, very keen to contact as many of the dead officer’s family as possible before the official release of the officer’s name.”
Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “This is a truly shocking incident in which one of our colleagues has lost his life in the most tragic circumstances. My heart goes out to his family, direct colleagues and friends.
READ MORE: London police station horror: Officer shot dead inside Croydon HQ
“We are currently supporting his family and also have a dedicated team providing support to the officers and those in the custody centre who witnessed the shooting.
“When a colleague dies in the line of duty the shockwaves and sadness reverberates throughout the Met and our communities.
“Policing is a family, within London and nationally, and we will all deeply mourn our colleague.
“We are in the early stages of the investigation and are still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and we will provide further updates when we have them.”
In July this year, West Midlands Police special constable Resham Singh Nahal died months after being struck by a car while attending another collision last November.
The roll of honour also includes unarmed Pc Keith Palmer, who was stabbed in March 2017 by Khalid Masood during the Westminster Bridge terror attack.
Masood’s rampage, in which five people died, was ended when he was shot dead by a minister’s close protection officer.
Pc Palmer was posthumously awarded the George Medal.
