TRIBUTES have been paid to a Merseyside Police officer following his off duty death during a night out in Liverpool.<\/p>\n
PC Neil Doyle has been described as \u201ca good cop that any officer would be proud to call a colleague\u201d following his death on 19 December.<\/p>\n
He was with two off duty colleagues when the incident happened.<\/p>\n
A murder investigation has been launched.<\/p>\n
PC Neil Doyle\u2019s wife, Sarah, said: \u201cNeil was very well loved by all of his family, friends and colleagues and it is a great loss to us all.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are finding it extremely difficult to come to terms with what has happened and need time to be left to grieve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peter Singleton, chairman of Merseyside Police Federation, described PC Doyle as \u201ca good cop that any officer would be proud to call a colleague\u201d.<\/p>\n
He had received a string of commendations for good police work.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeil was dependable, hard working and just wanted to serve the public,\u201d said Mr Singleton. \u201cHe was the kind of officer the police service is built on. This is just devastating news. Our thoughts with his wife, family, friends and colleagues at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
His off duty colleagues have now been released from hospital. One has a fractured cheekbone.<\/p>\n
Merseyside\u2019s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said: \u201cI am deeply shocked and saddened by this news.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy heart goes out to the family of Neil Doyle. I am sure I speak for people across Merseyside when I send his loved ones, friends and colleagues our thoughts and most heartfelt sympathy.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"