UPDATE: ESSEX Police have confirmed the body of a gunman believed to have killed an off-duty police officer has been found in a churchyard in Writtle.
64-year-old Peter Reeve was found with wounds to the head and pronounced dead at the scene with a weapon, after police received a call from a member of the public at 8.30am. No shots were fired by police.
Officers were contacted shortly after 3.30pm on Monday, 9 July following reports of shotgun fire off Redbridge Road, Clacton. They arrived and found one man dead and another man with serious leg injuries, lying in the street.
The victim, Constable Ian Dibell, (pictured right) an off-duty serving Essex Police officer aged 41, is understood to have intervened and challenged Peter Reeve.
The officer was then shot. The officer received fatal wounds and was certified dead at the scene. Specially trained officers are currently with the officer’s family.
Ian Dibell’s family said in a short statement: “The family are devastated by the news. 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. We would like to thank Essex Police, friends and colleagues within the policing family and the public for their kind words and support.”