Police Memorial stone to be unveiled for hero PC Ian Dibell

A MEMORIAL stone commemorating the sacrifice made by PC Ian Dibell of Essex Police is to be unveiled this Friday in Clacton.

The Police Memorial Trust will be holding a special service to unveil a memorial stone “as a national tribute to a police officer who was a hero in every meaning of the word.”  It will be the first memorial to be erected since the death of the charity’s founder, the film producer Michael Winner, in January 2013.

PC Dibell was murdered by a gunman whilst off duty on 9th July 2012. He put himself on duty by collecting his warrant card before confronting the offender but sadly paid the ultimate sacrifice. He was later posthumously awarded the George Medal for gallantry by the Queen.

The ceremony will take place at 1.20pm on Friday 6 November 2015 in the Sensory Gardens, at Marine Parade West. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

Stephen Kavanagh, Chief Constable of Essex Police, said: “It is a privilege to attend this service in memory of PC Ian Dibell, who paid the ultimate price in protecting the innocent people of Clacton.

“In not only confronting evil on our streets but in going back in to his house to get his warrant card and put himself on duty, Ian displayed the heroism and professionalism that characterise the best of our breed.

“There are no words to adequately sum up the enormity of Ian’s sacrifice, nor that of any officer who dies in the service of his community. PC Dibell paid the ultimate price for his actions, but he will never be forgotten by his colleagues in Essex Police, or the people of our county.”

PC Dibell’s family will be attending the service along with his loved ones, friends and police colleagues.

Geraldine Winner, Chair of the Police Memorial Trust , said: “I am so very proud to carry on the legacy left by Michael which will see us today honour the tremendous bravery shown by PC Dibell. Everyone one of us owes a huge debt of gratitude to the men and women of the British Police Service. Everyday they face the very real danger of losing their lives in the service of this country whilst keeping their communities safe.”

The late Michael Winner foundered the PMT charity in April 1984 following the murder of PC Yvonne Fletcher in London. Geraldine Winner has agreed to take the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the PMT in order to continue the work started by her husband.