Pc shot by ill gunman praised by coroner

Pc Ian Dibell, 41, a father-of-two, was shot while trying to intervene in the incident near his home in Clacton, Essex, on July 9 last year.

His killer, 64-year-old Peter Reeve, had attacked his neighbour Trevor Marshall and Mr Marshall’s girlfriend, Katarzyna Karolak, and then as he fled, tried to chase down Mr Marshall in his blue Toyota car.

The following day, Reeve was found dead after shooting himself once through the forehead in All Saints churchyard in Writtle.

At an inquest into both deaths at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday, coroner for Essex and Thurrock Caroline Beasley-Murray ruled Pc Dibell had been unlawful killed by a single wound to the chest.

She recorded a verdict of suicide for Reeve, whom she described as “troubled” after hearing of his mental health problems. The former mechanic had become obsessed with the idea his neighbours were dealing drugs and printing money.

Praising Pc Dibell for his “quite extraordinary bravery” and recommending a commendation for his actions, the coroner said: “The members of his family can be extremely proud of him.”

Scene investigating officer Detective Superintendent Simon Parkes said Reeve confronted Mr Marshall outside his home, shot at him and then discharged his gun towards Ms Karolak, who hid in a nearby house.

Fleeing his attacker, Mr Marshall zigzagged to avoid the bullets and was heard screaming for help.

Hiding in a shop, he saw how Pc Dibell approached the car, leaned into it and was shot at “close range” with a First World War British military issue Webley and Scott revolver manufactured in 1917.

After shooting Pc Dibell, Reeve continued chasing Mr Marshall, running over him before smashing into a wall.

Reeve then went on the run, ending up in Writtle where his mother was buried after she killed herself more than 30 years before.