Tributes after PCSO dies of liver cancer
TRIBUTES have flooded in for Runcorn Police Community Support Officer Gordon Rylance who has died after a battle cancer.
Runcorn Local Policing Unit (LPU) said he passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 11.
A JustGiving fundraising page set up by colleague PCSO Paula Davies during his fight with cancer has raised more than £1,500.
PCSO Davies said PCSO Rylance had been based in Brookvale.
He died at Willowbrook Hospice with his wife Jeanette by his side.
PCSO Rylance had been suffering a rare form of incurable melanoma liver cancer.
It was believed to have been a secondary malignancy linked to a cancer of the eye he had received the all-clear for several years ago.
More than 200 tributes to ‘Gordy’ have been posted on Runcorn police’s Facebook post following his death from colleagues, friends, residents and other general wellwishers.
Among the ex-colleagues to write something was Paul Lumb, who said: “Gordy you’re a fine officer you brought your own style of policing and will forever be missed, sleep well officer, your shift is done always missed. Never forgotten.”
Many of the comments were from Brookvale residents.
Jackie Hough said: “Sad to hear this. Gordon always said hello and was always willing to help out if he could. The people of Brookvale will miss you Gordon. Sympathy to Gordon’s family x.”
Jemma Clegg said: “How sad, my fave PCSO. Gordon never failed to stop and say hello and always asked how my day/ week had been. Such a lovely genuine caring guy who done Brookvale proud. You’ll be very sadly missed especially that smile you gave on approach. RIP Gordon xx.”
Ronnie Williams said: “A thoroughly decent man. When we lived in Brookvale he was always welcome in our house.
“He had the local scal- lies sussed.
“Very professional about things. Thoughts and prayers with his family.”
PCSO Davies said: “Jeanette is very grateful for all the support that they have received from friends and colleagues and I am sure that such support will continue for her to help her through this difficult time.
“Gordon kept his positive outlook and good humour to the end and will be very much missed by all.”
A statement on Runcorn police’s Facebook page said: “With great sadness Runcorn police are mourning the loss of PCSO Gordon Rylance who passed away peacefully yesterday, following a battle with cancer. Gordon has been with the force for many years and was the local PCSO for the Brookvale area.
“Gordon was an immensely popular character within the Runcorn community and is a great loss for the force. Our thoughts are with Gordons wife at this sad time. RIP Gordy.”
PCSO Rylance, 55, joined Cheshire police in March 2003 where he was posted to patrol the Brookvale area of Runcorn and he remained there throughout his service.
A Cheshire police spokeswoman said PCSO Rylance had a ‘jovial’ personality and a love for meeting people which he ‘combined perfectly’ during his days on the beat.
Sergeant Darren Herod said: “I had the pleasure of supervising Gordon during some of his time with the constabulary and I looked upon him as being the ultimate ‘Steady Eddy’.
“He knew every inch of his beat and was a visible presence around the schools, shops, businesses and the local community centre.
“He knew the young and elderly alike, and was able to communicate and listen to all, enabling him to provide a really valuable policing service to his community.
“Gordon will be sadly missed by all his colleagues and everyone in the Brookvale community.”
To donate visit www. justgiving.com and search for Paula Davies and PCSO Gordon Rylance. ● Popular PCSO Gordon Rylance, of Runcorn Local Policing Unit, who died peacefully on Thursday, May 5, following a battle with cancer ●