TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular police officer who has died after becoming unwell on duty.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Avon and Somerset Police Constabulary officer was rushed to hospital but died a short time later.\u00a0The flag at Avon and Somerset police HQ was lowered to half mast as senior officers paid tribute.<\/p>\n
Inspector Mark Nicholson said his team were \u2018devastated\u2019 by the loss of a close friend and dedicated colleague who had been an officer for 12 years.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cKevin 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had the respect of all who met him. All his colleagues are deeply saddened by his death and our thoughts are with his family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Somerset police Commander Chief Superintendent Daimon Tilley added that PC Stoodley was \u201ca very well-liked and highly respected officer.\u201d<\/p>\n
His wife Emma said: \u201cWe are devastated that Kevin has been taken from us at such a young age. He would have been 41 next week.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
PC Stoodley\u2019s funeral will be held on March 30 at Wells Cathedral at 10.30pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"