A POLICE officer shot and killed in the line of duty will have a remembrence service held in his honour 50 years after the tragic incident.

PC George Russell was shot dead at Oxenholme Station on February 10, 1965, by on-the-run gunman John Middleton.

British Transport Police chaplain Richard Cook will lead the ceremony in honour of the 35-year-old father of three and it will also be attended by Deputy Lieutenant of Cumbria Susan Thornely, Chief Constable of Cumbria Constabulary Jerry Graham and Chief Inspector Malcolm McKinnon.

The service, during which wreaths will be laid on behalf of Cumbria Constabulary and British Transport Police, will be held in the waiting room at Oxenholme station at 2.30pm on Tuesday, February 10, 2015.

PC Russell was one of three officers sent to Oxenholme station on that fateful day to search for Middleton, who had evaded capture in Cheshire and fired shots at police officers in Kendal.

The officers discovered the gunman in the waiting room.

In what was described as a ‘terrifying stand off,’ the gunman kept opening the waiting room door to fire at officers. One of the shots hit PC Russell, who died of his injuries two hours later in hospital.

PC Russell’s funeral was held at Carlisle Cathedral, where a bust of the officer was later unveiled.

He was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for gallantry.

Sgt David Grant, who helped organise the service along with chaplain Richard Cook, said: “It seemed only right that with the anniversary coming up, we made arrangements for PC Russell to be remembered with a special ceremony, marking his life, his bravery and the ultimate sacrifice he gave.”

Superintendent Mark Pannone, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: “This memorial service is an opportunity to pay our respects to a fallen officer.

"It is important we honour those who lose their lives in the line of duty, and our thoughts are with his family on this sad anniversary.”

MORE TOP STORIES: