MURDERED police officer Eduardo Puelles, 39, has been awarded a posthumous gold medal for bravery by Spain’s president.

Eduardo, who leaves behind a wife and two children aged 16 and 21, lost his life when a bomb planted next to his petrol tank exploded in a car park in his home town of Arrigorriaga (Vizcaya) this week.

The attack was said to be the work of Basque separatist terrorist cell, ETA.

The police inspector’s funeral is due to be held at lunchtime today, and will be presided by the president, the Prince and Princess of Asturias, and Basque regional president Patxi López.

A protest march through the streets of Arrigorriaga took place yesterday, during which participants branded ETA as ‘fascists’.

On Saturday, president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero awarded Puelles a gold medal for his outstanding service to the police force.

He placed the medal on Eduardo’s coffin, on top of a Spanish flag which was draped over it.