Guenther Podola

Guenther Podola

Guenther Podola (1929 - 1959, centre) with a police escort, on his way from Brixton Prison to appear
at West London Police Court, 4th August 1959. Podola was charged with the murder of police officer
Detective Sergeant Raymond Purdy and later became the last man to be hanged in
Britain for killing a police officer. (Photo: Keystone/Getty Images - Aug 04, 1959)

Guenther Podola (centre) with a police escort, on his way from Brixton Prison to make his second
appearance at West London Police Court, 29th July 1959.
(Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images)

The flats at 105 Onslow Square, Kensington, London, where German-born petty thief Guenther Podola shot
and killed Detective Sergeant Raymond Purdy as the officer was attempting to arrest him, 12th July 1959.
(Photo by Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images)

Police outside the flats at 105 Onslow Square, Kensington, London, where German-born petty thief
Guenther Podola shot and killed Detective Sergeant Raymond Purdy as the officer was attempting
to arrest him, 12th July 1959. (Photo by Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images)

British lawyer Sir Frederick Lawton (1911 - 2001), London, 15th September 1959. He is on the way to the
Old Bailey, where he is defending Guenther Podola, accused of the murder of police officer Raymond Purdy.
(Photo by Terry Disney/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The victim and hero

Detective Sergeant Raymond William Purdy

Detective Sergeant Raymond William Purdy

Detective Sergeant Peter Sandford (left, front) leads the pallbearers at the funeral of Detective
Sergeant Raymond Purdy, 1959. Following the coffin are Purdy's wife and son, Alan.
(Photo by Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images)