Wonderful husband, father and police officer remembered

TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular police officer who has died after becoming unwell on duty.

PC Kevin Stoodley, 41, who was married with children, was on his normal beat in Frome, Somerset when he was suddenly taken ill on 11 March.

The Avon and Somerset Police Constabulary officer was rushed to hospital but died a short time later. The flag at Avon and Somerset police HQ was lowered to half mast as senior officers paid tribute.

Inspector Mark Nicholson said his team were ‘devastated’ by the loss of a close friend and dedicated colleague who had been an officer for 12 years.

He said: “Kevin was very popular both with his colleagues and with members of the public. He was a passionate family man and was devoted to his work in the community around Shepton Mallet, Wells and Street.

“He was a neighbourhood officer who was very heavily involved with our Police Cadets, and he had also worked as a front-line response officer in the Wells area.

“He had the respect of all who met him. All his colleagues are deeply saddened by his death and our thoughts are with his family.”

Somerset police Commander Chief Superintendent Daimon Tilley added that PC Stoodley was “a very well-liked and highly respected officer.”

His wife Emma said: “We are devastated that Kevin has been taken from us at such a young age. He would have been 41 next week.

“He was a wonderful husband and father to our children Tyler, 17, Kai, 11 and six-year-old Sapphira and a man who loved his work as a police officer. He had such a lot more to offer and it is so sad for us all that he is no longer with us.”

PC Stoodley’s funeral will be held on March 30 at Wells Cathedral at 10.30pm.