Tributes have been paid to a Sutton police officer who died following a courageous 14-month battle with cancer earlier this year.

PC William Cook, 38, died on February 15 after joining the Metropolitan Police Service in 2005, following several years’ work prior in the force.

Now Sutton Superintendent Mark Lawrence has also honoured him after the funeral was held on March 21.

He said: “Will has a long history with Sutton Police and was immensely popular with his colleagues as was well as being an immensely capable and compassionate police officer.

“His loss has been closely felt by everyone at Sutton and we will miss him tremendously.

“Our thoughts are very much with Will’s family and we hope that they will be proud, as we are, that Will dedicated his career so selflessly to keep the communities of Sutton and London safe.

“The MPS owes a huge debt of gratitude to Will for his dedication and service. He will be fondly remembered."

Comments were also left on a Facebook post by Sutton Police following the announcement.

One person said: “RIP Will. A true gent and an honour to have known you.”

Another posted: “It was so good to see so many people there paying their respects. Only what he deserved.”

Someone else added: “What a pleasure it was to have known such a beautiful-natured person. RIP Will.”

The post has received 663 ‘reactions’ and been shared 85 times at the time of writing.