A ‘dedicated’ police officer has been laid to rest today after he died following a horrific car smash on Christmas Day.
PC Dave Fields, 45, was responding to an incident in his marked BMW 3 series when he was in a head-on collision with a Citroen C3 on the A57 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
Around 400 people consisting of colleagues, friends and family attended his funeral as a guard of honour was formed leading mourners into Grenoside Crematorium.
South Yorkshire Police said the funeral was designed to be ‘a celebration of life’ and even a police helicopter made a ‘nod’ to the officer as it flew over this afternoon.
Hundreds attended the funeral of Dave Fields, an officer who was killed in a crash when he was responding to an incident
Police honoured their fallen colleague after he was killed along with a passenger in the car his vehicle collided with on Christmas Day
Dave Fields was killed on Christmas Day and is life was celebrated today as officers came to attend his funeral, which was accompanied by a guard of honour
The procession included police bikes, a mounted horse unit and PC Field’s loyal dog Bertie battled snowy conditions to get inside the building.
PC Field’s family said they were ‘heartbroken’ and ‘devastated’ by his death following the crash on December 25 last year.
‘Dave was a loving husband and dad-of-two, who was a dedicated officer committed to his job,’ his family said in a statement.
‘We are heartbroken by our loss and ask that our privacy please be respected at this devastating time.’
PC Fields had been with South Yorkshire Police 12 years and was ‘a passionate, professional and universally-liked officer’.
PC Fields’ Sergeant, Lee Beck, said: ‘Dave was a hardworking, dedicated officer who prided himself in being there for others. Nothing was ever too much trouble for Dave.
‘Not only was Dave a fine officer but he was a friend; the best friend.
‘PC 3313 Fields has left a massive, unfillable hole in our department but he will always be in our thoughts and forever in our hearts.’
A guard of honour escorted Dave Fields’ remains to Grenoside Crematorium after he was killed in a Christmas Day crash
Three of PC Fields’ colleagues stood sentry at his funeral today as the policeman was laid to rest following his death in a car crash on Christmas Day
Today’s procession included a mounted horse unit as well as PC Field’s loyal dog, Bertie, who is pictured here
‘PC Fields was an exceptional officer who loved his job and was respected as a dedicated, committed and enthusiastic police officer within South Yorkshire Police.
‘His colleagues, as are we all, are devastated by his death. We also think of the Stephenson family who have been affected and hold them in our thoughts at this difficult time.’
The officer had also featured in TV programme Police Interceptors.
Lorraine Stephenson, 61, was also killed in the smash after suffered fatal injuries as she travelled as a passenger in the Citroen vehicle
The inquests into PC Fields and Mrs Stephenson are set to take place tomorrow (fri) at Sheffield Coroner’s Court.
South Yorkshire Police have also said the collision had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
This police helicopter made a ‘nod’ to Mr Fields as about 400 people celebrated the police constable’s life at his funeral today
In poignant scenes, PC Fields’ dog, Bertie, stood at the entrance to the crematorium today
The final journey: PC Fields’ body was driven to the crematorium today as friends and colleagues said their goodbyes