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Appeal over killing of policeman Jim Morrison in 1991 | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Metropolitan Police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe has appealed for information to catch the killer of a "courageous" officer 20 years ago. | |
Det Con Jim Morrison, 26, was off duty when he chased a handbag thief and was stabbed outside the Indian High Commission in Aldwych, central London. | |
The crime, on 13 December 1991, has never been solved. | The crime, on 13 December 1991, has never been solved. |
Mr Morrison's widow Victoria and Mr Bernard Hogan-Howe attended a service at the spot where the officer died. | |
A £20,000 reward has been offered to catch Mr Morrison's killer. | |
The service to remember him took place in Montreal Place, close to India Place where a memorial stone was laid by the Michael Winner Trust in 1994 to mark the spot where the officer fell. | |
Mr Hogan-Howe said: "Jim was incredibly courageous. He took on a person who'd snatched a bag, and he gave his life. | |
"Here we are, 20 years after, and we still haven't caught that person. There will be somebody out there who knows who it is. | |
"It's vital that we mark his memory by trying to find his killer, and anybody out there who knows who did it, please tell us." | |
While officers do "incredibly brave things" everyday, it was "only very rarely" they lose their lives, sad Mr Hogan-Howe. | |
Mr Morrison was waiting for his 24-year-old wife in Covent Garden when he saw the suspected thief and chased him. | Mr Morrison was waiting for his 24-year-old wife in Covent Garden when he saw the suspected thief and chased him. |
He was stabbed when he cornered the thief, who was later seen running away towards the Strand. | |
The suspect was described as a 5ft 10in (1.7m) tall man, who was aged between 27 and 30 and of North African or Algerian origin. | The suspect was described as a 5ft 10in (1.7m) tall man, who was aged between 27 and 30 and of North African or Algerian origin. |
Mrs Morrison, who married the officer in 1988, said: "I was 24 years old and in the first few years of marriage I was suddenly widowed and my whole life was turned upside down. | |
"It has been very traumatic for me and for Jim's family. Even 20 years on, it is still very, very hard. | "It has been very traumatic for me and for Jim's family. Even 20 years on, it is still very, very hard. |
"I appeal to anyone who has information that could help solve Jim's murder to please come forward and help us to achieve justice for Jim's family and friends." | "I appeal to anyone who has information that could help solve Jim's murder to please come forward and help us to achieve justice for Jim's family and friends." |
The Rev Philip Majcher, who led the half-hour service, said Mr Morrison had "died courageously in the course of duty as a Metropolitan Police officer protecting the weak and vulnerable from those who would prey upon them". | |
Launching the fresh appeal, Det Ch Insp Amanda Hargreaves said Mr Morrison had been "a talented young officer with a bright and promising future" and called on those with information to come forward. | Launching the fresh appeal, Det Ch Insp Amanda Hargreaves said Mr Morrison had been "a talented young officer with a bright and promising future" and called on those with information to come forward. |
"In particular, it is believed the North African and Algerian community could play an important part in solving this crime," she said. |
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