Grieving colleagues pay tribute to 'hard-working' police officer Bruce Stevenson

TRIBUTES have been paid to a Derby police officer who collapsed and died at the station where he worked.

PC Bruce Stevenson was described as "hard-working and dedicated" by one of the city's most senior officers.

And comments left on the Derby Telegraph website said the 47-year-old would be "missed by his police family".

PC Stevenson, who was 47 and had served with Derbyshire Police for 11 years, collapsed at Cotton Lane police station on Monday afternoon.

Despite the efforts of his colleagues to try and resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead.

A police spokesman said a post-mortem examination would be carried out to discover the cause of death but there were no suspicious circumstances.

Last night PC Stevenson's widow was still too upset to make a comment or prepare a family statement for the media.

But tributes from the force were led by Superintendent Gary Parkin, who is in charge of policing in Derby.

He said: "PC Stevenson had served with the force for 11 years, all of which were spent on the front line, protecting the people of Derby.

"He was a hard-working officer who was dedicated to his work. He will be greatly missed by all his friends and colleagues across the force."

Well-wishers started leaving message of support across the internet when the news was made public yesterday.

One comment on the Derby Telegraph site, from Hunt9785, said: "So shocked to hear this sad news. My thoughts are with your family.

"We had some great times and you made a great best man, RIP Bruce."

Another message, from ramram11, said: "RIP mate. You'll be missed by the police family."

A third message on the site, left by rjh18, said: "Sincere condolences to all your family and loved ones.

"Respected and loved by all your friends and colleagues at the Lane. Rest in peace, mate."

Another reader said: "So tragic, my heart goes out to his family, friends and fellow workers at Cotton Lane. RIP."

And a fifth, left by Derbyperson, said: "RIP, thoughts are with your family and friends."

It is understood that PC Stevenson collapsed outside in the yard at Cotton Lane police station.

Tributes were also paid on the social networking site Twitter.

A tweet from Ali said: "RIP Bruce Stevenson."

A spokesman for Derbyshire police confirmed PC Stevenson's death.

He said: "We can confirm that PC Stevenson died on Monday afternoon after collapsing while on duty at Cotton Lane police station in Derby. The cause of the death is not yet known and there are no suspicious circumstances."