The officer stood waiting at a respectful distance from the desk.

He had taken two steps back, clearly a respectful distance.

The four of them stood silently and kept a respectful distance.

Except that in future, I expect all news teams to keep a respectful distance.

This is certainly not the case so keep a respectful distance.

We pass them at a respectful distance, and go off to meet the devil.

She was back on her feet again, but keeping a respectful distance.

He sat back again, this time at a more respectful distance.

The other two peeled off, and kept at a respectful distance for a while.

All the others came to watch them, but stood at a respectful distance in the background.