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American tourist took picture with slain London officer Keith Palmer minutes before attack

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An American tourist visiting London took a photo with slain police constable Keith Palmer minutes before his death in the Parliament terror attack.

Staci Martin took a picture with slain London police constable Keith Palmer shortly before the Wednesday's attack at Parliament.
Staci Martin took a picture with slain London police constable Keith Palmer shortly before the Wednesday’s attack at Parliament.

Staci Martin traveled to the British capital from Florida before alleged assailant Khalid Masood caused chaos in central London on Wednesday, striking pedestrians with a car before stabbing the officer and being shot by police.

She shared a photo of Palmer on her Facebook from 1:52 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, roughly 45 minutes before the diplomatic protection force constable was attacked.

“At 1:52 p.m., we were walking passed Parliament and I saw an officer. I liked his funny hat so I asked him if we could take a picture with me. He obliged. He was very polite,” Martin, in London visiting her son, posted on Facebook.

“At 2:40 he was fatally stabbed by the terrorist and died leaving behind a wife and children.

“It’s my first time in London and I see his hat and I’m like I have to take a picture of him with his hat,” Martin told WFTS.

She said she believes the photo is one of the last of the 48-year-old husband and father, who was one of four killed in the attacks.

Utahn Kurt Cochran (visiting London with his wife for their 25th wedding anniversary), 43-year-old British teacher Aysha Frade and 75-year-old Leslie Rhodes also died after Masood drove into crowds on Westminster Bridge.

Keith Palmer, 48.
Keith Palmer, 48.

Martin said she hopes the picture of Palmer doing his duty before the attack brings comfort to his family.

A JustGiving pagefor the constable’s family had raised more than GBP663,874 ($827,000) as of Friday evening.

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