COBOURG, Ont. - A slain police officer from Cobourg, Ont., will be posthumously honoured with the Governor General's Star of Courage four years after he was attacked.

Const. Chris Garrett was stabbed in the neck while on duty in 2004 yet managed to fire back and wound his attacker.

Garrett's family and colleagues say they welcome the honour, but will continue pressing for a higher honour, the Cross of Valour.

Garrett was nominated for the Cross of Valour after his killer's court case ended in February 2007, but that was past a two-year window for submissions.

A 21-year-old man, Troy Davey, was convicted of first-degree murder.

Garrett's 18-year-old son, Ben, says whatever medal his father receives, his dad will always be a hero.