POLICE officers will lead farewell tributes to a beloved colleague who died suddenly just 18 months from retirement.

Crowds of Sussex Police staff will be at the front of a funeral procession to honour PC Roy Warren next week.

Fondly nicknamed Bunny due to his his surname, the 50-year-old was found dead at home in Bexhill on July 2 after developing a blood clot in his lung.

The bachelor was a stalwart member of the town’s neighbourhood police team and began his career in Brighton before becoming a road traffic officer who made it his mission to crack down on speeding.

He will be remembered by colleagues, friends and family on Friday July 21 with a seafront procession from his Bexhill home to St Augustine’s Church, Cooden Drive, where a memorial service takes place at 11am.

Members of the bike enthusiast’s riding club, the Hastings-based 1066 chapter, will follow the procession.

The group’s assistant director Melissa Tuttle remembered PC Warren’s “dry, sardonic humour” and said he was “taken too soon”.

The members are planning a memorial ride from the Lewes store of his favourite model 0 the Harley Davidson August 19.

Tributes have continued to pour in for the “heroic, loyal and humble” police officer who leaves behind parents Arthur, 80, and Kathleen, 79, of St Leonards, sister Jules, 48, four-year-old nephew Archie, of Lockswood and his adored cat Aslan.

Jules said he left a “massive hole” in their lives and he was a loving brother and humble police officer.

Friend John Alexander said it was a “tragic loss of a great copper”, adding: “He was very popular.

“I even had the ‘privilege’ of being stopped for going 35mph in 30 limit by him with his hand-held meter.

“People are gobsmacked at his death at such a young age.”

A book of condolence is open at Bexhill police station in Terminus Road on weekdays between 10am and 2pm or 3pm and 6pm.

A private family burial will follow the memorial service.

Queries can be made to Co-operative funeralcare, London Road, St Leonards, on 01424 444325.

Background

AFFECTIONALY known as ‘Bunny’, PC Roy Warren grew up in Hastings and always dreamed of becoming a police officer.

Before joining the force in 1989 he made a name for himself for arresting suspects when working as a Debenhams store detective. He worked for the neighbourhood team in Bexhill for some 22 years.

PC Warren’s boss Inspector Daniel Russell, of the Rother Neighbourhood Policing Team, described him as “full of wit” and a loyal and trustworthy officer.

During what was to be his last shift, Insp Russell asked PC Warren to attend a meeting to reassure the public on crime concerns. After the meeting, and with his typical "droll" humour, he reported back with an email which said: "Received applause. Left intact."

Best friend and colleague PCSO Roy Collins, 63, called him a "proper copper" and "like a brother."