Tributes for West Yorkshire officer
Tributes have been paid to a West Yorkshire Police officer who died on his way home from a shift at work.
Tributes have been paid to a West Yorkshire Police officer who died on his way home from a shift at work.
PC Tony Sweeney, 58, died on December 27 after he had been taken ill at work. He was sent home from his shift early and, while driving to his house in Harrogate, he pulled over his car and suffered a fatal heart attack.
Mr Sweeney, who had been with the force for 19 years, had won a Queens Police Medal in 2001 for his work in the community.
He had returned to work after a serious road accident in 2010 and is survived by his wife, son, daughter and grandchildren.
Superintendent Martin Snowden, from the North East Leeds Division, said: His sudden and unexpected death has left all who knew him deeply upset and we are offering our support to everyone affected.
Tony was a pioneer of neighbourhood policing and campaigner on a range of policing issues. He took a genuine personal pride in his work and loved being at the heart of the community, tackling the issues that impact most on peoples daily lives.
After being very seriously injured in a road accident in 2010, he showed resilience and strength of character in the way he battled to get back to fitness.
He will be very sadly missed by all of us and our thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.