The hero police officer who shot dead four terrorists as they attacked innocent civilians with knives and an axe, is a former special forces soldier who was working overtime, it has emerged.

The married father, who has not been named for security reasons, served with the Legion - an elite infantry unit of the Spanish army.

He was highly trained in firearms and marksmanship during his time in the unit.

After leaving the armed forces he joined the Catalan police force Mossos d’Esquadra, where he had hoped to have a more stable and less dangerous life.

The hero officer usually works on patrol giving advice to shopkeepers and talking to schools about safety and security.