by Dave Burke

dave.burke@essnmedia.co.uk

Police officer Jamie Filmer is still haunted by memories of the horrific murder of Forestdale woman Emma Forrester.

He was first on the scene after she was stabbed to death by her jealous husband Wayne last February.

Last Friday (April 3) PC Filmer was given a Borough Commander's Commendation for the way he dealt with the aftermath of the crime.

Being honoured at a ceremony at Croydon's Town Hall was a bitter-sweet moment as he admits dealing with the case was "the worst experience of my life."

"While I was getting the commendation I broke into tears," PC Filmer admitted.

"It's hard to smile for photographs when you know why you're getting it."

The tragedy in Markfield Road is always at the back of 33-year-old PC Filmer's mind.

"It's one of those things that you hope you never have to do again," he said.

"But you also think 'could I have done anything differently' and I don't think I could.

"It's obviously affected me, but I've still got to do my job."

PC Filmer was reaching the end of a busy night shift when a neighbour phoned police after hearing shouting from the house.

Wayne Forrester, who had recently been kicked out by his wife, was arrested on the spot.

It is believed he had snapped after she changed her status on social networking website Facebook to single.

In October he was sentenced to spend at least 14 years behind bars after pleading guilty to murder.

"When it happened, there was a little girl in the house, so we had to get her out and prevent her seeing anything that would affect her," PC Filmer said.

"We turned up literally about a minute after she died, the scene was horrific."

Last week's commendations recognised officers who had gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Another officer picking up an award was Sergeant Rodney Kenny, from Croydon police's Fast Response Unit.

Sgt Kenny's response to an arson attack on a shop in Thornton Heath High Street last October saw him save four families from possible death.

He fought his way through thick smoke to kick through the doors to four flats and bring the occupants to safety.

Modestly Sgt Kenny insists his actions were far from extraordinary.

He said: "I did what any of my colleagues would have done.

"I didn't have time to think. The roof was falling down in the shop, and I was concerned that the fire was going to go up through the flats.

"You've just got to save lives and if sometimes that means you've got to put yourself on the line, that's the nature of the job."