Colleagues of PC Andy Hocking at Falmouth Police Station were invited by the Packet to provide personal tributes to the man they had worked with on a daily basis – some of them for many years.

Sgt Martin Roberts said: “I have known Andy for over 20 years and although it has only been over the past couple of years, where I have worked with him at Falmouth, Andy was always ready and willing to help. I remember attending Falmouth one evening to follow up an enquiry into one of my investigations. The enquiry soon developed into the need of urgent support. I put out the call and who’s voice came back, yes Andy’s. The support from Andy resulted in a male being arrested, who was later given a one year custodial sentence.

“Andy was so easy to supervise. If he said leave that task to me, you know it would get done. He was extremely reliable and very supportive, as he knew that being a supervisor was not always an easy job.

“On many occasions we would take time for a chat and a laugh as we put the world to rights. However, there were also many occasions, when we would just talk work and bounce ideas off each other as we tried to think of ways to do our job even better.

“Andy was a fantastic police officer, who gained the respect from everyone who came across him. He was a great role model and I would like to thank him for all of the support he gave me over the years. He will be greatly missed and has left a massive pair of shoes to fill.”

DI Billy McWhirter said: “The first time I saw Andy was when he was on foot patrol in Market Street. I was due start working at Falmouth Police Station and I really wanted to go over and say hello and introduce myself. As he walked up the street, he stopped about every ten feet to speak to someone. He was laughing and joking, and I remember thinking at the time I was watching a master class in community policing.

“Over the last few years, I’ve seen that was just Andy’s way. He was totally dedicated to serving the community and was a really supportive colleague and friend. I will miss our chats putting the world to rights and usually ending up laughing. Happy memories. Cheers Mate!”

PC Richard Kendall said: “I always found Andy a fountain of knowledge and it amazed me how he never seemed to forget a name or a face. Police officers are always associated with this ability but Andy was one of the few people who truly had it. Andy was well renowned for his old-school, common sense policing and gave people exactly the respect they deserved. Falmouth will not be the same without him.”

PC Bob Jones said: “I have served with Andy at Penryn and Falmouth police stations for the past 21 years. We have been Patrol, Action Team and until Andy’s tragic passing, Neighbourhood Officers together. I would refer to him as ‘Google’ if any of my colleagues or I needed the answer to anything he was the man to ask. His knowledge of things was amazing. Only the other week I was testing his knowledge by asking him ‘What is the oldest building in Falmouth?’ and bless his soul he had to think about it and asked me to get back to him. I thought I had him and I contacted him an hour later after carrying out some research and before I could tell him the answer he said ‘Arwenack Manor’ which was correct.

“Sometimes a colleague or I would be whistling, humming or just singing the odd word of a song and the next thing you know Andy would ask us if we knew the artist, what the song was called and what year was it in the charts and on every occasion he would get it right and throw in one or two other facts for good measure. I always told him that I had him down as the future Mayor of Falmouth when he retired, a role that he would have been greatly suited to as his interest in Falmouth and Penryn and the people who live there were always foremost on his mind.

“I used to say that the USA have the ‘HOFF’ but Falmouth has the ‘HOCK’ but sadly that is no more. Andy will certainly live on as there are so many people with so many memories of him.”

PCSO Ashley Fuller said: “After two years as a PCSO in Devon and Cornwall Police, Andy was one of the best people I’ve ever worked with and the hole he leaves in the community will never be filled. He will be sorely missed. Mine and my family’s thoughts are with Andy, his wife, daughters and family.”