A police constable who was shot dead while responding to a domestic incident had earned five commendations in his four years with the force, it was disclosed today.

Richard Gray, a firearms officer who was shot while attending the incident in the Castlefields area of Shrewsbury yesterday, was described by West Mercia's Chief Constable, Paul West, as an excellent officer who was highly popular with colleagues.

Police said today that PC Gray, a member of West Mercia's armed response unit, had not used his weapons during the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Sheila Thornes, who is leading the investigation into the killing of PC Gray, said: “The ammunition allocated to the officer is all accounted for and there is no evidence of police weapons being discharged."

The police officer was fatally wounded as he responded to the routine call in Shrewsbury. Then gunman then killed himself. Police have appealed for anybody who saw or heard the incident in New Park Road to get in touch with Shrewsbury Police Station as a matter of urgency on 08457 444888.”

PC Gray, known to his fellow officers as Ricky, was a father of two in his forties who married his long-term partner last year, Mr West told a news conference at Shrewsbury’s Guildhall.

“All his colleagues, both police officers and police staff, are devastated by his tragic death, particularly those who worked with him on his regular shift at Shrewsbury,” Mr West said. “In Ricky’s four years with us his bravery, determination and professionalism as a police officer saw him recognised with a total of five commendations, two from his divisional commander, two from me, and a judge’s commendation. In itself that speaks volumes for the sort of man he was and his dedication and commitment to duty."

The dead gunman was named locally as Peter Medlicott, a former gamekeeper in his thirties known as a shotgun owner. He was said by neighbours to have been arguing with another man before the double shooting.

The incident has shocked the town, which has experienced an increase in gun crime. It will lead to demands for further protection for police officers.

PC Gray lived in Shrewsbury where he was described by neighbours as a quiet man who loved gardening. His wife, Jennifer, a bank worker, is being comforted by friends and senior officers.

The police officer was less than an hour from finishing work when he was asked at 6.10am to intervene in a domestic dispute in the Castlefields suburb. Karen Walker, 49, who lives opposite Medlicott’s house, said: “Everyone was woken up by the racket. We heard one shot and then there was loads of shouting. Then we heard another shot. I looked out of the window with my daughter and you could see the other two officers pulling the policeman who had been shot along the road. The officer was bleeding badly. Then we heard another shot a couple of minutes later.”

Residents described Castlefields as a quiet area that had recently begun to attract the same kind of social problems as larger inner city areas. Two workers in a massage parlour in the neighbouring Frankwell area were murdered last year.

Medlicott was seen drinking heavily on Saturday night at the Plough pub, a short walk from his rented first-floor flat. He had to be asked to leave by the landlord when he started arguing with his girlfriend and became rowdy.

Rory Wallin, the landlord, said: “Peter came in with his partner. They had both been out on the town. They had been listening happily to the karaoke but then they began to argue up by the pool table and it got out of hand. They were both arguing and following each other around the pub.”

George James, 53, a pub regular, described Medlicott as an “oddball” who had previously been questioned by the police concerning allegations of arson. “He was known for the hassle that followed him around. He was unemployed and used to carry a rifle in a case down by the river.”

PC Gray was commended for rescuing a man who was trying to jump into the River Severn from Shrewsbury’s English Bridge and was also praised for his professionalism, decision-making and teamwork after the rescue of two women from the same river last July. He also received a Chief Constable’s Commendation and a judge’s commendation for his part in the arrest of an unstable man with a firearm. A Chief Constable’s Certificate of Commendation, the highest award given by West Mercia Police, had also been bestowed on PC Gray for his part in arresting a violent man who confronted officers with a semi-automatic pistol in Shrewsbury in April last year. Mr West had been due too present this award to PC Gray in a ceremony later this year.

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