A POLICEMAN has been honoured on the 20th anniversary of his murder.

Sergeant Alan King, who worked in Chingford and Walthamstow, was on patrol on November 29, 1991, when he approached 27-year-old Nicholas Vernage, who was wanted on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

But Vernage, who had already killed twice, then stabbed the 41-year-old repeatedly in Higham Hill Road, Walthamstow, and later attacked to two other police officers.

Sgt King later died in Whipps Cross Hospital, aged 41.

Vernage received five life sentences for the attacks. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe joined Borough Commander Steve Wisbey and friends and family at a memorial stone in honour of Sgt King at the spot where he was killed.

Chief Inspector Claire Wynnick was just 20 years old when she began working under Sgt King.

Speaking after the tribute event, the 49-year-old said: “He was a role model. The typical idea of a desk sergeant as staying out of the action is everything Alan was not.”

“He was charming and had a common touch: he would speak to stallholders in the market and then people in posh hotels. He had a very good sense of humour and he looked out for us all.”