The young daughter of one of Luton’s bravest and best – murdered policeman Jon Henry – has received a posthumous award for bravery on her father’s behalf.
The eight-year-old was presented with The Queen’s Commendation for Bravery at a special ceremony at Luton Town Hall on Thursday. She was told by Lord Lieutenant Helen Nellis that PC Jon Henry would remain in the hearts of the community as a “courageous and noble man.”
It was a proud and poignant moment for the family of the fallen officer. His widow Mary had requested that the award be given to their daughter, who was less than a year old when her father died after being stabbed by paranoid schizophrenic Ikechukwu Tennyson Obih in 2007.
The Commendation was presented by the Lord Lieutenant who said it was a great privilege to do so on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.
She added: “PC Henry attemped to apprehend an armed suspect in order to protect the public and paid the ultimate price. He demonstrated extreme bravery and will remain in the hearts of our community as a courageous and noble man.”
The ceremony was also attended by Bedfordshire High Sheriff Colin Osbourne, Chief Constable Colette Paul,
Ray Reed of the Police Federation and Luton mayor Cllr Mohammed Farooq.
The Chief Constable said: “Today is important not just to me but to all Bedfordshire police.
“Jon was a very special part of many people’s lives and Her Majesty’s recognition of his bravery in the face of grave danger is a fitting tribute to somebody of whom I remain immensely proud.”
PC Henry, 36, had been on duty less than half an hour on June 11, 2007, when he was stabbed twice in the chest in Luton town centre.
He had been trying to disarm a knife-wielding man who had just stabbed a window cleaner in the back.
His widow said at the time: “Jon was my husband, my world, my best friend . . . there are a million words and none.”
Nigerian immigrant Ikechukwu Tennyson Obih was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 25 years.