North Essex: Late sergeant was active and fearless

9:56am Thursday 31st January 2008

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Tributes were today paid to a policeman who died in a crash on the A12.

Sergeant Robert "Bob" Walsham died after his Kawasaki motorbike was involved in a collision with a car, near the Flatford junction.

The 48-year-old had been a police officer for 26 years, joining Essex Police in 1989, and was based in Colchester.

He lived with his 32-year-old fiancee Emma, whom he was due to marry in August, and her four children - Chloe, Joe, Harley and Connor.

Sgt Walsham's first wife Pat lives in Colchester with their two sons, Fraser and Ben.

Fraser, 20, said today: "My dad was a caring, selfless person who would concentrate and deal with everyone else's problems before his own.

"He carried out a lot of charity work, including participating in bungee-jumping events and motorcycle rallies.

"He was an active, fearless man who lived on adrenaline, loving kite-carting and skateboarding."

When Sgt Walsham joined the force from the Metropolitan Police, he was initially based in Colchester.

He later transferred to west Clacton, where his hard work and high arrest rate earned him three Chief Constable's commendations - as well as the Essex Police Millard Trophy - for outstanding service.

He returned to Colchester in 2007, where he was town team sergeant, responsible for policing the High Street and the town centre.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Bob was a dedicated community officer, who led from the front and was respected by his colleagues and public alike."

Anyone with any information about the crash, which happened at about 2.30pm on Tuesday, should call PC Steve Griggs at Suffolk police headquarters' road policing unit, on 01473 613500.