THE SISTER of a Wiltshire police officer killed by a teenage burglar said it was a "great honour" to have his name included on a national memorial.

Gina Derry, 43, said she was overwhelmed after the Queen unveiled the UK's first memorial to police officers killed in the line of duty, on Tuesday.

Pc Des Kellam

How the Wiltshire Times reported the incident back in 1979 Mrs Derry's brother Pc Des Kellam, 31, was killed after chasing a 19-year-old burglar through St James' Churchyard, Trowbridge, on October 3, 1979.

Pc Kellam is one of three Wiltshire officers, killed as a result of a criminal act, to have their names inscribed on the memorial in The Mall, London.

A plaque in memory of Pc Kellam was unveiled at Trowbridge Police Station, in Polebarn Road, in September.

Mrs Derry said she would be taking her 82-year-old mother to see the national memorial at the first opportunity.

"The dedication Des received in Wiltshire was amazing, and now this national tribute, it is very special," she said.

"It will mean so much to my mum. My mum is moving closer to me so I shall be able to take her to see it.

"It is a great honour. It is so nice to think Des has not been forgotten.

"It stops you in your everyday life and really makes you think and remember.

"Something like this brings it home to me how many officers have been killed while on duty. This is a long term memorial meaning they will never be forgotten."

Pc Kellam was chasing teenage burglar David Octavius James when he was hit in the head with a billhook.

Sergeant Ken Godfrey, from Trowbridge, was on duty the night his colleague was killed.

He said: "It is important that people can remember those who have given their lives.

"It has been a long time coming for a national memorial. It took a long time to get something in Trowbridge."

Talking about his memories of the night Pc Kellam died, he said: "I remember it as vivid as if it was yesterday. I think it is one of those things that goes to the back of your mind when you go out on a shout. You cannot forget there are more dangers today than there ever have been."

James, 19, of was cleared of murder and sentenced to eight years jail for manslaughter after a three- day trial in May 1980.

The Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair were among those at the unveiling ceremony.

The Queen said the memorial, featuring the names of 1,600 officers, was a tribute to their courage and personal sacrifice.

Film director Michael Winner has campaigned for the memorial ever since founding the Police Memorial Trust, following the murder of 25-year-old Pc Yvonne Fletcher.

Pc Fletcher, originally from Semley near Shaftesbury, was killed when a sniper opened fire from the Libyan embassy in London, during a peaceful protest against Colonel Gaddafi in 1984.

Sgt William Crouch

ONE of the county's only police officers to be murdered by a colleague has been remembered on the national memorial.

Sergeant William Crouch, who once served in Bradford on Avon, was shot dead by an officer, Pc Ernest Pike, who was angry about being posted to another station in April 1913.

Pike was known for his quick temper and was reported by Sgt Crouch for being in a public house while on duty and lying to a senior officer.

Pc Pike went home to fetch a shotgun before meeting up with Sgt Crouch in Coombe at 11pm on April 1, as part of his rounds. Details are unclear but a row broke out and Sgt Crouch died instantly from a gunshot wound to the head.

Knowing he would hang for the offence, he walked onto a footbridge spanning the River Avon, put the gun muzzle in his mouth and pulled the trigger.

Sgt Crouch was buried with full police honours.

Sgt Enos Molden

A BROKEN-HEARTED lunatic asylum attendant shot dead a police officer in Warminster in 1892. Sergeant Enos Molden, whose name is inscribed on the London memorial, was shot while trying to arrest John Gurd at the entrance to Longleat, near Warminster.

Gurd went on the rampage after his engagement to housemaid Florence Adams was called off when it was revealed he owed money to patients and tradesmen.

Feeling incensed and rejected Gurd travelled to Melksham and shot dead his former fiance's uncle in Spa Road.

Going on the run, Gurd later turned up at the White Hart Inn, in Corsley, where he was recognised by the landlord. Police were alerted and Sgt Molden was shot while a second officer tried to wrestle the killer to the ground.

A crowd of mourners, including 120 policemen and the chief constable, were at Sgt Molden's funeral in Christchurch, Warminster. Gurd was found guilty of double murder following a trial and was executed on July 26, 1892.

Wiltshire roll of honour

1892: Sgt Enos Molden Shot

1892: Supt Frederick Bull Hit by horse

1913: Sgt William Crouch Shot

1929: Pc Frank Gray Road accident

1931: Pc Henry Tanner Road accident

1940: RPC Albert Mitchell Road accident

1942: WRC Albert Newman Shot

1955: Chief Insp Edmund Norris Shot

1955: Pc John Dean Unconfirmed

1961: Pc Maurice Foord Road accident

1968: Pc Cedric Hemmings Road accident

1968: Pc Colin Hayward Road accident

1973: Pc Robert Cray Road accident

1977: Pc Leonard Harding Road accident

1978: Pc Phillip Russell Road accident

1979: Pc Desmond Kellam Bludgeoned

1987: Pc Mark Herbert Road accident

1989: Pc John Marsh Collapsed

1991: Pc Christopher Regelous Road accident