A FORMER colleague of a brave policeman PC Gary Toms who was killed in the line of duty has raised over �1,000 for an air ambulance service in his memory. Specialist Firearms Command Officer, PC Toms, who served Barking and Dagenham Police before he join

A FORMER colleague of a brave policeman PC Gary Toms who was killed in the line of duty has raised over �1,000 for an air ambulance service in his memory.

Specialist Firearms Command Officer, PC Toms, who served Barking and Dagenham Police before he joined New Scotland Yard's CO19 unit, died days after a dramatic car chase last year.

Now fellow Met officer PC Grant Thomas has raised a total of �1,180 for the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service after arranging the manufacture and sale of pin badges to officers throughout the Met.

PC Thomas is based on a response team at Dagenham where he met PC Toms shortly after he qualified.

He said: "Like everyone in the Met I was shocked and saddened to hear about Gary's death and wanted to do something in his memory.

"I'm delighted to have raised so much money to donate to HEMS, the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, in accordance with the wishes of Gary's family."

The cheque was presented to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel on its helipad last Wednesday (February 17).

On April 14 last year, PC Toms, 37, suffered serious head injuries when he got out of an armed response vehicle in Ashlin Road, Stratford, after pursuing a car which had been involved in an aggravated burglary in Rosedale Road, Dagenham.

He was taken to the Royal London by the HEMS, who stabilised him at the scene, but three days later, his life support machine had to be switched off.

Four people were later jailed for their parts in the aggravated burglary.

Last month, Newham Council granted planning permission for a stone memorial tribute to PC Toms, close to the spot where he was injured.