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Charlton Athletic unveil touching tribute to PC Keith Palmer

Police officer killed in London attack was a keen football fan

Charlton Athletic unveil touching tribute to PC Keith Palmer
23 March 2017

The people of London today resumed their day-to-day business in the wake of Wednesday’s terrorist attack in Westminster, but they also remembered those who lost their lives, and those who were injured.

One of the three people who died at the hands of the attacker was PC Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old, who had 15 years of service with the parliamentary and diplomatic protection service. Prime Minister Theresa May paid tribute to him for stopping the attacker, an action which cost him his life, saying on Thursday morning, “He was every inch a hero, and his actions will never be forgotten.”

However, outside of his professional work, Keith was a keen football fan and his team, South London’s Charlton Athletic, where he was a season-ticket holder, have unveiled their own tribute to the officer by placing a red-and-white scarf on his seat in their stadium, The Valley.

They wrote further on their website

“It is with great sadness that the club has learned of the tragic news of the death of PC Keith Palmer, a loyal Charlton supporter and season-ticket holder, who lost his life as a result of the terror incident in Westminster on Wednesday afternoon. Keith was a familiar face at The Valley to many supporters and sat in his same East Stand seat for many years. 

“As an immediate tribute, a red and white scarf has been placed on his seat which will remain until the next home game on Tuesday, April 4th, while the club will discuss ways in which it can commemorate his life at the game itself. 

“Keith was a true hero who will be greatly missed by all the Charlton family and everyone at the club would like to offer their sincere condolences to his family and friends at this extremely difficult time. The club also wish to extend condolences to the families of all those victims who were involved in yesterday’s incident.”

They also remind people that The Metropolitan Police Federation are raising money for the family of PC Keith Palmer, and that people can donate via JustGiving here.

Simple and touching, it’s a fantastic gesture by staff at Charlton.

Flowers and a photo of Keith Palmer on Whitehall in London (Credit: Rex)