Tributes paid to former Isle of Man police officer who has died from coronavirus

Tributes have been paid to a former police officer in the Isle of Man who has died of the coronavirus.

Richard Lloyd, known as Richie to friends and colleagues, was 57 and from Ballabeg. He passed away in the intensive care unit at Noble's Hospital, just after 3pm yesterday.

He is the second person on the Island to die after contracting the virus.

Mr. Lloyd served for thirty years as a police officer, both with Merseyside Police and the Isle of Man Constabulary. He spent the majority of his service on the Isle of Man, retiring as a sergeant in September 2012.

While on the force he served in a variety of different roles, working as a community officer in various parts of the Island, in the drugs squad and as a sergeant in Douglas and in custody.

After he retired as a police officer, Richie maintained his relationship with policing, returning as a first contact officer at Police Headquarters, in which capacity he had daily contact with many members of the public offering advice and support.

Since the launch of the Constabulary's volunteer police youth scheme, he had worked as a volunteer, mentoring and leading young people.

Colleagues say that this was work he loved and in return, the dozens of young people who have been members of the scheme loved and respected him as a role model.

Richie was a talented sportsman, representing the Isle of Man in judo at national and international level at events such as the Island Games. He won a bronze medal in the world police fire and rescue games, held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1999. As part of his passion for sport Richie managed the Isle of Man judo team and also worked with Special Olympics athletes. The force says that he was a true public servant in every sense of the role.

Richie leaves behind a loving family, his wife Glen, his mother Rita, Andy his son and his granddaughter Ffion who he adored. Flags on Constabulary buildings will be flown at half-mast. Officers will stand in respect for Richie Lloyd at 12 noon on Easter Monday.