The daughter of a murdered US police officer has been escorted to school by his colleagues on her first day back, in a touching tribute.

Palm Springs policeman Jose 'Gil' Vega, 63, was just months away from retirement when he was shot dead along with another colleague as they responded to a family dispute.

Mr Vega, a father of eight children, always took his youngest daughter Vanessa to school on her first day, so some of his fellow officers thought it would be fitting if they took her in his place.

They surprised Vanessa, eight, at her home and then walked with her to school where they gave her a guard of honour.

They also met her on the way back later in the afternoon.

At her father's funeral last week Vanessa spoke movingly to a crowd of more than 10,000 people who converged on the Palm Springs Convention Center for the memorial service.

She said: "He will always stay in our hearts. Even though we can't see him doesn't mean he can't see us."