Police Constable John Charles Henry was a serving officer with the Bedfordshire Police when he died in a stabbing incident on 11 June 2007.

PC Henry was responding to an incident outside a Luton high street store when he was stabbed. He was taken to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, but later died. He becomes the 37th police officer since 1985 to be murdered whilst on duty.

The 36 year old, from Bedfordshire, had only just begun his morning shift when he was asked to attend an incident in George Street, Luton.

Police had received reports from two members of the public of an attack on a window cleaner, outside a building society and department store, to which PC Henry duly reported.

Following a scuffle, PC Henry was attacked by a member of the public on George Street and received a fatal wound to his body.

Armed officers later managed to disarm the assailant and a 27-year-old man has since been charged with PC Henry's murder.

Des Lawless, a spokesman for Bedfordshire Police, described the incident as “a sad day for Luton.”

He added: "There was a low mood among the police officers. They know they face these dangers every day of their career but we all hope nothing like this will ever happen. I don't remember a police officer dying in these circumstances during my service and I have been here for more than 40 years.”

PC Henry had worked as a floor fitter in the Luton area before joining the Bedfordshire force in 2004 after completing police training.

He was part of a force which had set up a safer neighbourhood scheme as well an operation known as Scorpio, which aimed to combat and reduce crime levels within the county of Bedfordshire.

He becomes the second officer within a month to be fatally wounded whilst on duty, and the 11th officer to be killed as a result of a stabbing.

Bedfordshire Chief Constable Gillian Parker said: "Jon was clearly much loved both by his family and his friends. His dedication to his duty cost him his life."

One of his closest friends, who asked not to be named, described PC Henry as the "salt of the earth".

The friend, who is an officer with the Metropolitan police added: "He loved it, he pretty much sold it to me as a career. He was so proud of his job."

His name will be added to a roll of honour memorial set up by film director Michael Winner in 1984, to recognise the efforts and bravery of all police officers who have died whilst on duty.

Mr Henry was survived by his wife Mary and daughter Maggie.