If they ever did a photofit for the perfect British bobby, chances are the face they came up with would look a lot like PC Keith Palmer.

From the steady candour of his gaze to the half-smile on his lips, PC Palmer looked… well, he looked like a lot of things we should treasure.

He appeared kind and calm, the sort of copper who would send unruly kids on their way with a firm word, not one of those rulebook robots. You didn’t have to hear him speak to know that he would be unfailingly polite.