The firearms officer shot dead after he went to the aid of two unarmed colleagues was killed by a pest controller with a rifle, which he then turned on himself, police said yesterday.

PC Richard Gray, 43, who had been due to receive a commendation for his part in the arrest of a man threatening officers with a semi-automatic pistol last year – his fifth award for bravery – died from a single shot to the head.

After saving his colleagues, who were being held at gunpoint, he was shot by Peter Medlicott, 33, who ran a pest control business and used the legally owned rifle to kill vermin.

Police investigating the shooting in Shrewsbury on Sunday, which cameafter a domestic dispute, said that the officer’s gun had not been fired.

Detective Chief Superintendent Sheila Thornes, of West Mercia Police, leading the investigation, said: “Police received a call for assistance in connection with a domestic-related incident at around 6.10am and two uniformed, unarmed officers attended the address in New Park Road, Shrewsbury.

“There were no initial reports of firearms being involved. However, when the officers arrived they were challenged by a man who held them at gunpoint.

“The officers used their radios to call for support and an armed response vehicle was sent to the scene. Both authorised firearms officers were armed and as they went forward they were confronted by a man who shot PC Gray. Approximately an hour later, the body of a man, now identified as Medlicott, was located by officers close to the scene. A .222 calibre rifle has been recovered from the scene.”

PC Gray, known to his fellow officers as Ricky, was a father of two grown-up sons from a previous marriage. He married Jenny, his partner of 16 years, in a ceremony in Venice last August. A former soldier, he served with the Black Watch in Northern Ireland, Germany, and Hong Kong.

Paul West, the West Mercia Chief Constable, led tributes to the dead policeman, saying that his five bravery awards “spoke volumes about the sort of man he was and his dedication and commitment to duty”.

Medlicott was ordered out of the Plough pub on Saturday after a row with his partner. Richard Duggan, 34, an acquaintance, said: “I have known him for 15 years and you would never see him causing trouble.”

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