HUNDREDS of mourners turned out to pay their respects to a police officer as colleagues formed a guard of honour at the entrance to the church.

PC Andrew Williams died suddenly from heart failure at his home in Teesville, Middlesbrough on Friday, April 24.

Today (May 7), family, friends and colleagues packed out St John’s Evangelist Church on Normanby Road, South Bank, to pay their respects to a fun loving but highly respected officer.

The 45-year-old’s coffin was carried into the church by Cleveland Police colleagues while standard bearers’ held their flags aloft to mark his time served in the military.

Reverend Terrence Leathley led the service while colleagues Superintendent Mark Thornton and PC Adrian Chadwick recounted stories of the father-of-four’s time in the force.

The officer grew up in Hemlington, attending Viewley Hill Primary and Coulby Secondary School before joining the Royal Dragoon Guards aged 17.

He joined Cleveland Police in 2003.

Rev Leathley praised the dedicated family man for his love for life and dedication to his time in the Army before joining the police force.

He spoke of the devastation of his wife Lynn, and children Sophie, 21, Luke, 19, Emily, 15, and seven-year-old Olivia.

“Regardless of how you remember him and how you shared his life, you will remember him with love, grief and respect,” he said.

Supt Thornton recounted why PC Williams decided to join the police after leaving the Army as a Lance Corporal.

He said: “I checked his application and in it he had written ‘I will feel proud knowing I’m helping the local community become a safer environment’ and from the day he joined, that’s exactly what he did.”

He told mourners that PC Williams had been a valued member of the force’s armed response unit and had trained as tactical team medic last year.

His colleague from roads policing unit, PC Chadwick told how regardless of the weather his friend and colleague always turned up for work in a distinctive hat – but added no-one had any idea why.

He said: “We are all privileged to know you; we are all privileged to have served alongside you. You will be deeply, deeply missed by everyone.”

The last post was sounded before PC Williams’ coffin was carried from the church.

The family asked that any donations in lieu of flowers be made to the British Heart Foundation.

*The Northern Echo attended the service with the permission of Cleveland Police.