Mourners attend officer’s funeral

MOURNERS attended the funeral of a police officer from Great Bardfield who died while on holiday last month. PC Richard O Mahony, 45, husband and a father of three, suffered a fatal heart failure on Sunday April 29, while on holiday in the New Forest with

MOURNERS attended the funeral of a police officer from Great Bardfield who died while on holiday last month.

PC Richard O'Mahony, 45, husband and a father of three, suffered a fatal heart failure on Sunday April 29, while on holiday in the New Forest with his wife. His funeral was held on Monday.

Sgt Ashley Seymour, from Saffron Walden police, said: "Richard was a very experienced and capable officer. He was well-respected within the community he served and very popular among working colleagues.

"He will be remembered by many people for many different reasons, but without doubt everyone will remember him for his sense of humour, of which many people have been 'victims' over the years."

Richard, who lived in Bardfield Saling with his wife, Dunmow police officer Niki, had three children: 20-year-old Emma and 21-year-old twins Richard and Rachel.

He became a grandfather in December, when his son Richard became the father of baby Felix.

"Richard was the local officer for Newport, Widdington, Debden, Debden Green, Wimbish, Wimbish Green including the barracks, Quendon and Rickling Green," said Sgt Seymour.

Richard was a great lover of the outdoors and wildlife and spent a lot of time observing nature.

He also enjoyed travelling, grand prix motor-racing, cars and music and kept himself physically fit, regularly using his home gym.

Donations were made to the British Heart Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund in his memory.