East Area Police Remember Brave Officer Who Lost His Life In The Line of Duty Serving His Community.

We should never take for granted the actions of police officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others and fight crime.

“Today we remember PC Philip Walters who made the ultimate sacrifice for the community he served here in Redbridge 30 years ago”, said Stuart Bell, East Area BCU Commander:

Each year it is an honour for local officers to join PC Walters’ loved ones, friends and former colleagues to remember his life and his service to this community. It is important to remind ourselves that behind the uniform of an officer was a brave young man – a son, a friend and a colleague who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The actions of PC Phillip Walters and PC Derek Shepherd that day are replicated across London 24/7 by normal people, who put their lives at risk on a daily basis to protect others from harm.

PC Walters joined the Metropolitan Police in September 1993 and was posted to Ilford in February 1994. At Police Training School, PC Walters was awarded the Baton of Honour, given only to outstanding students. He was talented, popular and set to have a fantastic career of service.

On Friday 18 April, it will be 30 years since PC Walters and his colleague PC Derek Shepherd were posted together on a ‘late shift’ from Ilford Police Station and attended a disturbance at an address in Empress Avenue involving three men assaulting the occupant. While on scene, a struggle ensued as the suspects tried to escape and PC Walters received a fatal gunshot wound to his chest. He was 28 years old. PC Shepherd was also shot and injured as he risked his own life by struggling to hold onto the suspect until help arrived.

“PC Walters’ service and sacrifice is still felt today and will never be forgotten. The thoughts of the policing community here in Redbridge and across London are with Phillip’s loved ones at this time.

We should never take for granted the actions of police officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others and fight crime.”

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