News

De Young
My heart goes out to Jon's wife and family on this very sad day. I have a daughter and son-in-law who serve with Luton Police, and know from what they have said how shocked everyone there is and how much Jon loved his job

Jeannie,
May P.C Jonathan Charles Henry's family,friends,and colleagues,find comfort in the thoughts and messages of love and support put forth in the messages written here.May your god be with you all,and walk this hard road by your side. My thoughts are with you.

Jane de Gruchy
My heart goes out to John's widow, daughter, family, friends and colleagues. Why isn't every officer made to wear stab-proof vests? My ex-husband was a serving officer in the Met - Yvonne Fletcher was his Crime Squad partner, and our friend. Please, all you officers, take care out there. You are too valuable to the community to be lost.I hope that the injured officer is recovering well. Nothing much more to say except, a very big hug to John's widow.

Anon
As a serving officer with Bedfordfordshire police and a young family, how brave was Pc Henry. My thoughts are with his with and young daughter and for someone who was only doing a job that we all love. The question for all is Why?

Steve Adams ( Luton )
my heartfelt condolences goto all of pc henry's family,the people of Luton, owe notonly pc henry a huge debt of gratitude,but the rest ofthe bedfordshire police force too & other police forces across the u.k. god bless you all.

Adeel
It's a very very sad thing my sympathy go to PC Jonathan Charles Henry's family and his friends. May his soul rest in Peace and May God Bless his family. We all are proud of him bcoz he was a part of the world's best Police Force. May God bless and protect every Police Officer who is out there protecting the general public. May God Bless his Family and May His Soul Rest In Peace.

George
These past few days have been shocking, to think the street i walk through, this brave man jon henry has so sadly lost his life while he served the public of luton. I had through my work come across jon, he seemed a friendly, happy and witty bloke. I was so shocked to see his picture. My heart goes out to his baby daughter, his wife and other family, also to his colleagues at Buxton Road who must be lost now they such a big hole in their team. The Police of Luton do a fantastic job under pressurised circumstances. Now when is this government going to wake up and realise our regular police officers need more protection. facing the gang ridden and high crime streets our country has adapted, their current issued equipment is not suffice. Hurry up and address this issue before we tragically lose another heroic police officer. RIP Jon

Diane
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends, i feel for them all. It nice to see a community come together and show there respects.

john (Luton)
My familys thought go out to all those left behind after this terrible incident.may john rest in peace, a good life cut so very short.

khan
I think police should be given more things to protect themselves. Its a very sad thing to happen to a police officer but he was a HERO. My thoughts are but the family and friends of the police offier. May He rest in peace!

kirsty magee
my deepest respects and my heart goes out to you

Vicky
I was totally shocked to see that something so senseless had happened. My heartfelt sympathy to his wife and daughter and his colleagues.

Anon
It is a sad day when such a lovely guy like Jon dies protecting the people of this town. As someone who has worked with Jon in the past i found him a breath of fresh air and always made me laugh whether he meant to or not. My thoughts are with his family and dedicated colleagues at Luton Police Station. I know he will be very deeply missed around the place xxx

Pamela Carley
To Mrs. Jon Henry, Maggie, family, friends and colleagues, you are all in our thoughts and prayers; may you each find peace and comfort in his memory. Pamela Carley

Jayne Alexander
My deepest sympathy goes to Mary, little Maggie & all of their family.May God grant them all strength over the days, weeks & months ahead, and may He bring them peace of mind.Love to them all.

Kel
My thoughts goto this officers family. He is a testament to the finest Police Force in the world and I would like to say how proud his family should be of him, especially his daughter. The job gets more dangerous and these giys put their lives on the line daily. We should respect them and peace to his family.

Nik C
One more family suffering in this way is one too many - EVERY other police force in the World has routine arming of police. However, maybe the "middle ground" of Taser for every police officer would be more suitable for the UK. CS spray was apparently used in this incident however, as all police officers know, it wont work on everyone which makes its carriage a nonsense and tragically this incident is what happened and a family has been devastated. It is worth noting the instrument used to subdue the suspect in this incident...was Taser. What if this PC had Taser? Maybe he could have subdued him and not have been killed.

PJ
My heart goes out to PC Henry's family and friends at this sad time.

SANJAY ,LUTON
SAD & STUNNED AT SUCH A SENSELESS LOSS OF A TRUE GENTLEMAN ,A LOVING FATHER AND DEDICATED POLICE OFFICER.

Amanda White
I am a serving Police officer who trained with Jon at Ashford in May -- august 2004.When i watched this last night on the news i felt SICK.Jon was a great guy, loved the Police and was always making us laugh with his jokes and the questions he used to come out with in class. My daughter has now begged me to leave the Police and this has made me think IT IS ALL WORTH IT.Jon will be missed and i feel for his family , This shouldnt have happened .

Tom Willis
It's maybe too soon to speak of this, but if Jon's family consents to a funeral with full honours perhaps the local media can join together in calling for as many Lutonians as possible to line the funeral route, and for those who can't make it to observe a few minutes silence - it's the very least we can do for a local lad who died trying to protect the people of this town.

R DAVIS, Basingstoke
I am a police officer in Hampshire and this is a sad day for all people associated with the police family as well as the family of John. I have opposed the routine arming of police bu perhaps now after losing another member of our family it is time to reconsider. Policing the streets is not what it used to be and we have to be properly equipped to deal with it.

Kris
As a police officer with 11 years service I can vouch for just how dangerous it is policing the streets of Britain in the 21st Century. Having enjoyed front line work for so long I opted to move in to an office based role for this very reason. I wanted to come home to my young family each day.My heart goes out to John Henry's family. He lived and died a hero in a world where his career brought him in to contact with danger on a daily basis.His young daughter has been robbed of a loving father but I hope that she grows up to know that her father died protecting a member of the public and his heroism will never be forgotten.Isn't it about time that we protect the protectors? As a life long opponent to routine arming of police officers in this country my mind has been changed by recent events.Forget the statistics. These senseless killings cannot continue. Give us the tools with which to protect ourselves and the public.Rest in peace John. God bless.

Hannah
This will continue to happen if the govt does not give harsher penalties to knife crime. It's easy to label it gang-related but in reality anyone with intent can injure or kill and unless that intent is punished, others will follow.

Nick Kirk
This is a great tragedy to lose a police officer in the line of duty, responding to and assisting a member of the public. Thoughts and condolences go to his family in this very sad time.

Katrina
This is a very sad day. The police need to be armed so they can not only protect themselves but be better equipt to propect us. My love to all his family and friends.

Ted
If the police had a gun on their hip, I am sure attacks on the police would drop very quickly, my sympathy to his loved ones. Ted

Jon Dyer
Sadly there is no deterrent. It is time the police were given whatever powers they need to remove the scum off the streets. Roberto Peroni is right, Luton has a problem with gangs but until the police can stop this softly softly approach, the system will deteriorate. Compare life now with 10 - 20 years ago. I rest my case. My deepest sympathies go to Mrs Henry and family.

Jen
I have always felt safe living in Luton, i have lived here 46yrs, this tragic event has changed how i feel, my heart goes out to the family and officers.

matt mcguinness
whats the sentence for carrying a knife?whatever it is, its not enough.you only have to go back to last years luton carnival which made the front page of the daily mail.it seems that young people seem to think it cool or essential to carry a blade with them.if a mandatory 10 year sentence was imposed for merely carrying a weapon,it might put them off a bit.the courts are too soft and the laws are too weak.stamp down hard, and build new prisons .

Jeremy Y
It is with great sadness that I heard of the death of PC Jon Henry whilst on duty. My sympathies go to his family and his work colleagues at Luton Police Station.I had seven great years policing in Luton and know how dedicated these officers are. The public do not realise and appreciate the great work the police do at considerable risk to themselves. It angers me when the politically correct brigade, the media, politicians and public are so quick to criticize the police. Nothing less that total support should be given to the police in the job they do and now consideration must be given to giving the police the tools to properly protect themselves and members of the public.

marsh
this is a sad day when a police man is killed for doing his job.

Anon
As a fellow colleague of Jonathan, I am shocked and distraught beyond belief that this can have happened. It has been a very traumatic day for all at Luton Police Station and my heart felt sympathy goes out to his wife and baby daughter. Jonathan - you died needlessly in the line of duty, but will be remembered for your heroic act, wicked sense of humor and above all, a first class Police Officer, husband and father. RIP. Gone But Not Forgotten. A true HERO xxxxxx

SC Anon
My deepest sympathy goes out to friends and family. A sad day for all nationwide. It is hard as a serving officer not to feel the emotion involved in losing a colleague like this. We are the few, doing the impossible, for the ungrateful.

Becky from Luton
I am so so very sorry to hear this sad news. This is the reality of the front line officers face every day. I am absolutely ashamed this has happened in my home town but not suprised. I do not use the arndale shopping centre (where it happened) as the whole atmosphere is intimidating. My deepest condolences to his wife, baby girl, friends and collegues. xx

Sherry Orange County CA USA
From my family to Officers Henry family our heart felt sympathy.

intikhab zaidi
Pc Jonathan Charles Henry was a wonderful protector of the public and his family deserves all the love they can be given from all of us. i am truelly devastated for Pc Jonathan Charles Henry family who have lost a husband a father and a friend. Amen.

Rachel
Such a tragic loss. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

honour to him
sad day for luton, i had one of those days 2 day wheere i knew something was gonna happen, i get them a bit, but didn't know it would be this sad, hope 2 have luton in all minute silence, i will feel sad next time i walk through george st.

Bill
The police in the Portland Oregon area shoot a few unarmed people each year, including a naked man who was mentally ill. I don't how they could think he might have beened armed and dangerous.Don't arm the police. Bring back the death penalty, just for those who murder an on duty police officer.

Maurice
I walk by that area daily during lunch break. Luton rarely have major crime. Very hard to believe. Oddly enough our local paper Herald and Post 31 May edition mentioned an appreciation event for our local police. Unfortunately the paper did not say what day or time! I'm certain if it did many would have came.

Richard, Luton
I am usually upset when people accuse Luton of being too rough. You often hear the gossip about violence but think nothing of it, I now realise how desensitised i'd become.RIP Jon Henry, I pray the other victims will survive

sheila
my heart goes out to his family. half of my family are policemen. john & his family are in my thoughts I feel very sad for them also angry.

Arthur
Luton is not safe at all. There is so much violence around. You cannot feel safe, but the Police does the great job. All my sympathy to the Officer, his family, relatives, friends and absolute respect to UK Police. Get the crime off the streets!

Brian Davies
Luton?? A lovely, peaceful town?? Are you having a laugh Arthur??As soon as I heard that there was a police cordon this morning I instinctively knew it would be a murder or something sinister!No doubt the killer will get a community service order or something equally ridiculous.The judicial service in this country is a disgrace, and until the government start issuing punishments that suit the crime, then statistics will continue to rise!!And to think, the government are going to fine law abiding citizens for not recycling their waste. Drop off all refuse collected weekly to the sort of scumbags that commit this kind of atrocity and let them sort through it for recyclable material, instead of us taxpayers subsidising their cosy lifestyles, with gyms, education and all of life's pleasures! Human rigts?? YOU HAVE NO HUMAN RIGHTS!My thoughts are with the PC's family and friends at this sad time!

A Simmons
I just wish to pay my respects to the brave officer who died- my thoughts and prayers are with the family at what must be a tough time.I think this incident has once again highlighted the dangers of policing modern Britain, and we should start to seriously look at protecting our officers better- be it with firearms, tazers, or by other means.

anon
Please pass my thoughts and love to the family, friends and everyone that knew PC HENRY. As a fellow officer, its easy to forget how dangerous it can be sometimes, I am proud to know I work along such brave men like PC Henry

John Smith
For such a henius crime the moment he took the officers life he should known what to expect Some one has to tell the baby her dad died looking after people the killer should forfeit his life

Jon Youdan
I am a serving constable in Gloucestershire, this terrible tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers we face every day. I am deeply saddend for his family.

Paul Adams
My sincere condolences go to PC Henry's family and his colleagues. My family and I moved to Luton just over a year ago - it's a great town and a friendly place to live - and we are saddened by this terrible event.

Mike Booth
What better reason for reinstating capital punishment. There is no doubt about who the perpitrator was. Why should the taxpayer waste millions of pounds jailing him for life when he has cynically taken the life of a serving police officer.

Amy Ryan
Its so sad to see that people dont see how precious life is. The person who did this is vile. I saw the scene today after it happened and its sad to think that an innocent man was killed while doing his job, and protecting us.

Mujahid Rasheed
Pc Jonathan Charles Henry serves his life for his town and for his country. We proud of you and I wish whoever did this Horrendous crime will catch by police force as soon as possible. Marry and Maggie god blesses you.

Andy
Such a sad loss,I Hope this does not happen again to a innocent person, my thoughts go out to his family and friends.

doreen
the decent people of this town are appaulled and in a state of shock .every day we expect our police force to protect us , who is protecting them, the goverment of this country needs to act and act now, and explain to his greiving widow and other families who have suffered . why this sort of incident keeps occuring ..

Andy
This is a very sad my thoughts are with his family and friends. the person who did this should be alive now.

Police Officer
Routine operational beat officers really are under equipped. At least give use something decent to protect us with. If not a firearm, then at least with TASER - and do it soon before more of our numbers get killed on duty.

Gemma
I can't imagine what his family must be going through; who could even think of doing such a thing? Its a senseless and tragic thing to happen - its a sad day for the people of Luton. Thinking of his family and colleagues at this time.

Ahmed
Today is a very sad day for luton. My sympathies to the wife and baby of the police officer. I think its about time that we should all work closerly and make luton a safe place to live. Once again i would say the police officers of luton are doing a great job by making the streets of luton safe and giving their lifes in the line of duty. I would like to praise all the police officers!!

Phil
I feel so sad for the family concerned. It is a very sad day! Unfortunatley it was only a matter of time before this was going to happen and it will no doubt happen again which is the sad truth. This country has too light a punishment for carrying knives. Stabbings have now moved from adults to kids to police officers. Will the government now face up to their responsiblites and call for very high punishments and jail terms for carrying knives in public. Come on Britain get the letters in to the MP's & Prime Minister....

Rong
My hearts go with the policeman and his family. This is such a tragic event. We hope the murder can be found as soon as possible.

Barbara Dunne
Please pass on my heart felt thoughts to PC Jon Henry's wife and familyWhat a tragic loss

sallyann
no police officer should have to died in the line of duty, prison is too soft for the likes of people who murder, and once again the law will worry about that persons human rights and forget the human rights of the one who has died, and his family. my heart goe's out to them.

Richard
As a fellow Police Officer, I am saddened at the tragic loss. My thoughts are with his family and collegues.We are all ordinary people doing an extraordinary job.

Tariq Mir
Today is a very sad day for the Police force, people of Luton and this country. My sympathies to his wife, baby, family and his colleagues.

Rexpansive
This is a vile crime and tragic thing to happen. The question is whether life in prison is enough of a punishment for someone who does this kind of thing. Maybe because they have taken an innocent life they should forfeit theirs. I certainly believe they should.

Arthur Dent
I live in Luton and its such a lovely peaceful town, we are so shocked to hear this sad news our sympathies are with the police officiers family and colleagues.

Anon
It's hard to find the right words to say, as a fellow police officer I think today has deeply touched every officer in the country and we are all thinking of his family at this difficult time.

a khan
my respects to the officer who died. lets hope that we never have to see such a scene again.

sean doyle
its a sad day for luton and its police force god bless this police man and his family

Fran Rodgers
My heart and thoughts go out to the policemans family, you never go to work expecting the unexpected.... I am glad they have the man who did this to not only the policeman but the other people as well and keep fingers crossed they will recovered from this horrible horrible day...Fran an ex pat living in Luton