Fatal shooting of serving police officer - Chief Constable pays tribute

The Chief Constable of Essex Police has paid tribute to the serving police officer who died after being shot in Clacton, describing him as an 'extraordinary man doing an extraordinary job'.

Pc Ian Dibell, 41, was shot after he was believed to have intervened in a disagreement between two men just off of Redbridge Road on Monday, July 9, 2012.

Police were contacted shortly after 3.40pm following reports of a man with a handgun seen shooting at another man. They arrived and found a man with serious leg injuries and Pc Dibell who was sadly declared dead at the scene.

Pc Dibell, a neighbourhood officer in Clacton, had been off duty when he is believed to have challenged the man with the gun.
 
Essex Police launched a search for Peter Reeve, a 64-year-old man from Clacton, in connection with the murder.

Specialist officers had been searching throughout the night when Peter Reeve's body was found in a churchyard in Writtle on the morning of Tuesday, July 10, 2012.

Peter Reeve was found with a weapon and wounds to the head following a call to police just after 8.35am. No shots were fired by police and the body has now been recovered.

Detectives are now interviewing witnesses and gathering information about the full circumstances leading to the death of Pc Dibell and Peter Reeve.

Chief Constable of Essex Police Jim Barker-McCardle visited Pc Dibell's family on Tuesday, July 10, 2012 and has now paid tribute to the brave officer.

He said: "I have visited Pc Ian Dibell’s family and loved ones to personally offer them my condolences and express the support of everyone at Essex Police during this very difficult time.

"Since Ian’s murder, we have heard from fellow officers and staff how loved and respected our fallen colleague was. He was personable, charming, always immaculately dressed, and very popular with his colleagues.

"Ian was a very experienced and highly regarded neighbourhood policing officer well known in the Clacton community that he had served since 2009.  For the eight years prior to this, Ian had worked as both a Neighbourhood and Response officer based in Colchester.

"Ian was an extraordinary man doing an extraordinary job. He was proud of his family’s police service, proud to be an Essex Police officer and proud to serve the community in which he lived.

"Ian’s tragic death reminds us all that it’s not the uniform that makes a police officer but the instinctive, brave and selfless help to others. I have no doubt that Ian knew of the danger he was facing when he stepped in to protect a member of the public whilst off duty and without any thought for his own safety. He had an incredible devotion to his community – a devotion which led to his paying the ultimate price.

"We have received so many messages of condolence and support from across the country.  I have passed these on to Ian’s family, whose sense of loss is beyond description.

"Essex Police is a family and we are all hurting and grieving.  This tragedy is a stark and profound reminder that ultimately officers give their lives in the service of others."

The family of Pc Dibell has also paid tribute to him. They said: "We are immensely proud of Ian and the courage he showed.

"We take some comfort from his bravery. Policing was in his blood and Ian selflessly went to the aid of people in desperate need, without fear or thought for his own safety. It was who he was - a hero.

"He has paid for the act in the most devastating way. He will be deeply missed. No words can describe the loss. He was very much loved by his family."

The second man injured in the shooting was taken to Colchester General Hospital with injuries to his leg. He has since been discharged.

You can leave your tributes to Pc Ian Dibell in our online book of condolence.