PC Ian Dibell: The story of an 'extraordinary' police officer who died protecting others

PC Ian Dibell. Credit: Essex Police

A memorial stone has been unveiled in Clacton today to honour PC Ian Dibell who was killed trying to stop a gunman in 2012.

PC Dibell's actions touched many hearts, while his courage and bravery will never be forgotten.

Here is the story of how he lost his life and the legacy he left behind.

9th July 2012

A local man called Trevor Marshall had arrived at his home in Clacton where he was met by his neighbour Peter Reeve who pointed a gun at him.
In the panic, Marshall and his partner fled the building and tried to run away. Reeve fired shots at them and then followed them in a car.
Marshall and his partner ran into Redbridge Road, near to where PC Dibell lived.
Although PC Dibell was off duty that day, he ran from his house and lunged himself through the driver's window of Reeve's car. He tried to wrestle the gun away from him but was shot in the chest. Witnesses tried to administer CPR but he died.
It was later revealed that PC Dibell had ran back into his house to get his warrant card before confronting Reeve -meaning he was on duty at the time of his death.

Reeve's body was found in a churchyard in Writtle. Credit: ITV News Anglia

A manhunt was sparked to find Reeve. His body was eventually found in a churchyard in Writtle, Essex. He'd shot himself.

31 July 2012

PC Dibell's colleagues formed a guard of honour at his funeral. Credit: ITV News Anglia

PC Dibell's funeral was held at Weeley Crematorium, near Clacton.
His colleagues formed a guard of honour outside the crematorium, just a few miles from where he was killed.

His legacy

PC Dibell has been recognized with a number of high-profile posthumous awards. Credit: PA

PC Dibell has been recognized with a number of high-profile posthumous awards since his death.

Most notably, he was awarded the George Medal for gallantry in December 2013 - the first police officer in more than 20 years to do so.