Police hunting for a man suspected of killing an off-duty officer have found his body in a churchyard.
A major search operation was launched to track down suspected gunman Peter Reeve after PC Ian Dibell was killed in Clacton, Essex on Monday.
Reeve's body was spotted by a member of the public who called police at just after 8.30am.
Officers arrived at the churchyard in Writtle near Chelmsford within minutes, and all of the alleyways leading to the area were sealed off. A tarpaulin was then put in place to cover Reeve's body.
The scene is located around 15 minutes from where he lived, and is close to houses and a school.
At a news conference held after the discovery, Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle said: "Peter Reeve, the 64-year-old man from Clacton, was found with wounds to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. I can confirm that he was found dead with a weapon, in a Writtle churchyard, and that no shots were fired by police."
It was confirmed that a handgun was used by Reeve in the initial attack, and that he was 'largely unknown' to the police. He did not hold a firearms licence.
Chief Const Barker-McCardle added: "There must have been some sort of catalyst that prompted the scale of a tragedy of this kind."
A statement was read on behalf of PC Dibell's family which said: "It was who he was - a hero. He has paid for the act in the most devastating way. He will be deeply missed and no words can describe the loss."
Meanwhile a second man who was injured in the shooting has been named by Sky sources as 48-year-old Trevor Marshall.
The lorry driver lived in a flat close to the shooting and was shot in the leg. He has now been discharged from hospital.
Speaking to Sky News, his step-son Liam Hampson said: "The policeman was heroic. I personally think if he hadn't helped him, Trevor would be dead."
Mr Marshall's ex-wife Pauline praised PC Dibell's sacrifice: "We are so sorry for his family, we're so grateful and sad. He died protecting my husband and that's very difficult to come to terms with. It's amazing that even off-duty he gave himself."
Home Secretary Theresa May said she had spoken to Chief Const Barker-McCardle and offered her "sincere regret" that an officer had been killed.
She added: "Our police officers keep us safe day in and day out and sadly PC Ian Dibell has paid the ultimate price."
Local MP Douglas Carswell said: "This is not Los Angeles or urban London - this is Clacton and I think people will be truly shocked and appalled."
Reports suggested the off-duty officer had challenged the gunman who was chasing a man and woman along Redbridge Road, where it is believed the dead policeman lived.
Residents were left shocked as details of the incident emerged.
Sara Pinnegar, who lives in nearby Burrs Road, told the Clacton Gazette: "The area is usually very quiet, nothing really happens like that around these areas so it is shocking to everybody."
Another local, Stevie-Ann Aldis, said: "It is pretty rare to hear about something like this, not only in Clacton, but down the road from me. It is a bit too close to home."
