‘After 20 years, losing Jim is still hard’ says hero officer’s widow

Family, friends and colleagues of Scottish policeman Jim Morrison gathered in London to mark the 20th anniversary of his murder and launch a fresh appeal to track down his killer.

At the same time a graveside ceremony was held in Luskentyre, Harris, where the young officer was buried.

Detective Constable Morrison, 26, was stabbed in London by a suspected bag thief. Despite extensive inquiries, and a £20,000 reward, the man who killed him and the weapon he used have never been found.

On Harris, DC Morrison’s best friend and serving Metropolitan Police officer Sergeant Colin Geddes led five other colleagues and family at a memorial service.

Sgt Geddes said: “Jim had an insatiable appetite for his police work – his dedication was second to none – and he always put in that added extra for the community he lived and served in.

“His death has left a tremendous gap in the lives of those who knew and worked with him. He is hugely missed.”

In London, DC Morrison’s widow, Victoria, and Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe were among those attending a service at the memorial stone laid in India Place – previously Montreal Place – by the Michael Winner Trust, which recognises officers murdered on duty.

Detective Chief Inspector Amanda Hargreaves, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, leading the murder inquiry, said: “DC Morrison was a talented young officer with a bright and promising future, which was taken away from him when he was attacked. Over the years, officers have remained diligent in attempting to solve this case.

“Despite the passage of time, I believe there are people who still hold vital information about who is responsible.”

DC Morrison was born in Glasgow and joined the Met in 1983. On Friday, 13 December 1991, he was off duty and on his way home to meet his wife, having left the Nell Gwynne pub in Bull Inn Court, between the Strand and Maiden Lane.

Between 10:15pm and 10:30pm in the Covent Garden area, it is believed he saw a man suspected of bag theft. He challenged the man outside the London Transport Museum, and was threatened with a knife, before the suspect ran off. However, after discarding his dark blue overcoat and jacket, he chased the suspect into Montreal Place where he was stabbed in the chest.

The suspect, believed to be of North African/Algerian origin, was described as 5ft 10 inches tall, aged 27-30, clean shaven, with dark collar length hair, with distinctive tight curls at the front. He was wearing a waist length tan/brown leather jacket.

Yesterday the victim’s widow said: “Jim’s death for me and the family was completely devastating. I was 24 years old and in the first few years of marriage. I was suddenly widowed and my whole life was turned upside down.

“It has been very traumatic for me and for Jim’s family. Even 20 years on, it is still very, very hard. I appeal to anyone who has information to come forward.”