Keith Palmer

Keith David Palmer (3 October 1968 – 22 March 2017) was a British police officer who was posthumously awarded the George Medal, the second-highest award for gallantry "not in the face of the enemy". Though unarmed, he stopped Khalid Masood, a knife-wielding terrorist from entering the Palace of Westminster during the 2017 Westminster attack; he was fatally wounded in the attack. He had worked for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) for 16 years, and had joined the force's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Group in April 2016. Police career Palmer had served in the British Army as a Bombardier with the Royal Regiment of Artillery until August 2001 when he was discharged. In November 2001, Palmer joined the Metropolitan Police as a police constable (PC). From 2002 to 2009, he served in the London Borough of Bromley. He then joined the Territorial Support Group, a grouping that specialises in public order and operates across Greater London. In 2015, he was nominated as "best thief taker" at the Commissioner's Excellence Awards in recognition of making 150 arrests in twelve months. In April 2016, he joined the MPS's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Group. Westminster attack On 22 March 2017, Palmer was in New Palace Yard guarding the Palace of Westminster. He was unarmed. At approximately 14:40, he was approached by Khalid Masood, who was armed with two knives. Though unarmed, Palmer confronted Masood in an attempt to stop him. Masood fatally injured Palmer during this encounter. By confronting Masood, Palmer delayed him long enough for his armed colleagues to arrive and shoot Masood dead.