SOUTH Yorkshire Police Federation has led the tributes after the on duty death of popular colleague PC Matt Lannie.<\/p>\n
PC Lannie, 40, was on a police motorcycle responding to an incident at around 1pm yesterday afternoon (21 April) when it was in collision with a blue Toyota Avensis in the Ecclesfield area of Sheffield.<\/p>\n
He was pronounced dead a short time after the collision.<\/p>\n
“This is heart-breaking news,\u201d said Steve Kent, Chairman of South Yorkshire Federation, the body representing police officers in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatt was a very popular, funny officer and a friend to many in South Yorkshire Police. He loved his job in the roads policing group. He will be very sadly missed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The police vehicle driven by PC Lannie was responding to reports of a silver BMW failing to stop for officers. Investigations into the collision are ongoing.<\/p>\n
Steve added: \u201cThe Force and the everyone at South Yorkshire Police Federation will do our very best to support his partner, family, friends and close colleagues at this extremely difficult time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe ask that their privacy is respected.”<\/p>\n
Chief Constable Stephen Watson said: \u201cDreadful events such as these serve to remind us of the great dangers that police officers confront every day in order to keep us all safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatt was a specialist motorcycle officer in our roads policing unit and prior to this was a response officer at Sheffield. He was a very popular member of the team and he will be greatly missed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe South Yorkshire Police family is doing everything we can to provide support and comfort to Matt\u2019s loved ones and his colleagues at what is a very difficult time.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatt\u2019s family has asked for privacy and we ask their wishes are respected in order to allow them the time and space they so richly deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n