THE death of a Suffolk police officer during a car accident while on duty was described yesterday as a “catastrophe.”Canon David Lowe told up to 500 police officers and the family and friends of Pc Cheryl Lloyd that her death had deprived the police force of an enthusiastic, determined and fearless officer.

By Richard Smith

THE death of a Suffolk police officer during a car accident while on duty was described yesterday as a “catastrophe.”

Canon David Lowe told up to 500 police officers and the family and friends of Pc Cheryl Lloyd that her death had deprived the police force of an enthusiastic, determined and fearless officer.

Canon Lowe, priest in charge at St John the Baptist Church, Orwell Road, Felixstowe, told mourners: ''We regard the death of a police constable who was doing her duty as a brave and honourable one.

“Casualties from road traffic accidents, on the other hand, are sadly all too common.

“Yet Cheryl's death is a combination of both. It was a catastrophe, but one that happened in the performance of duty.

“She had high standards. She was determined, with a contempt for danger.

''She shared much of herself in an energetic, effervescent way.

“In doing this she had a sense of fun and humour. Cheryl was enthusiastic and loved her work.

''I refer not only to her work in the police, but her 21 years previously when she worked for Ted Race.

“She earned tremendous respect and popularity. In carrying out her job she acted with humanity and sensitivity.

He added: ''I referred in my introduction to overwhelming support for Cheryl's family, shown by the large numbers of friends and colleagues in church, but a support that is not only given but needs to be received mutually by everyone here.

''This sort of encouragement has been marvellously given over the past nine days, by which all who are close to Cheryl have been upheld. I know the family are appreciative of this.

''It is just part, of course, of the ongoing support that will be needed in the future.

“This church is one that has significance for Cheryl and her family, having been used for confirmation and marriage, and Cheryl was a bridesmaid here.

“I hope today this church can be used as a place of comfort as we say farewell to her this afternoon.''

Pc Lloyd, 42, died on June 18 when she was driving a marked car with the blue lights flashing and siren sounding as it answered an emergency call.

The accident occurred at 8pm in West End Road, Ipswich, when the car collided with the trailer of a parked lorry.

Her colleague, Pc Chris Neale, who was a passenger in the car, remains in a critical condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

The lorry driver, Michael Greenway, of Banbury, Oxfordshire, was uninjured.

The funeral cortege left Pc Lloyd's home in Tower Mill Road, Ipswich, at midday and the hearse, four limousines and police motorcyclists passed Ipswich police station where she had worked.

The procession also passed the police station in Felixstowe, the town where she was born, and arrived at 12.35pm at the church.

Four officers took the coffin, draped with a Suffolk Constabulary flag and a helmet on top, into the church.

Nick Mark, the police force chaplain, accompanied Canon Lowe for the funeral service after which a cremation was held in Ipswich.

Pc Lloyd's death has touched the hearts not only of the close-knit constabulary but also of the wider community.

In Ipswich taxi drivers, bus companies and children have visited the scene of her death to lay flowers.

And in Felixstowe bystanders waited outside the large church to pay their respects and they spoke softly about the important and sometimes dangerous work carried out by officers in their line of duty.

One bystander, who did not want to be named, said: “I just wanted to come here and salute a police constable and support the rest of the force.

''The job they do is a hard one, what with all the paperwork they have to do, and also a dangerous one.

“I have been very impressed by the show of officers here today.''