FAMILY, friends and colleagues of murdered part-time policeman Glenn Goodman yesterday gathered in his memory - ten years to the day after he was shot by an IRA killer.

Mr Goodman, a special constable, was mown down in a hail of bullets by terrorist Paul "Mad Dog" Magee during a routine patrol along the A64, near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.

Yesterday, the man who led the murder hunt gave an emotional address at the memorial service in St Mary's Church, Tadcaster.

Retired Chief Superintendent Jim Kilmartin recalled for the congregation the moment when he handed Mr Goodman's widow, Fiona, the folded flag and uniform cap which draped his coffin throughout his funeral at Selby Abbey a decade ago.

"With Glenn's mother and father standing nearby, and thinking of Glenn's little son Tom, Selby was at that moment for me the saddest place on Earth," he said.

He pointed out there would be others, still living, who would not realise they owed their lives to the officer.

Mr Goodman's widow and his ten-year old son were among the first to arrive at the church to celebrate his life, along with Glenn's parents Brian and Margaret.

More than 100 people attended the service, including Assistant Chief Constable Peter Bagshaw, former Chief Constable David Burke, regular and special police officers and Tadcaster Civic Party.

Mr Goodman, 37, had been on routine patrol on the A64, with PC Sandy Kelly, when he was fatally wounded in the early hours of June 7, 1992.

Mr Kelly, who was badly wounded in the incident and has since retired from the force, attended the service with his wife and children.

Mr Goodman's father told the congregation of his son's ability to make people laugh.

"Though Glenn's life was short, I believe he lived it to the full. He made people happy," he said.

"He was an honest, helpful man, always willing to lend a hand. He was indeed a very special constable."

Police chaplain, the Reverend Stephen Fisher, said: "God cried that day and still cries for Glenn, and those like him, who have given everything, confronting wickedness."

After the service a wreath laying ceremony took place at a roadside memorial stone at the junction of Wetherby Road and Station Road.

Four wreaths were laid by Mr Goodman's family, special police officers, Mr Kelly and the Mayor of Tadcaster, Councillor Ted Mansfield.

* Magee, a convicted killer who was already on the run, was later tried and jailed for life for the killing. However, he has since been released under the terms of the Good Friday agreement.