By Nick Griffiths

Last updated 11:39, Wednesday, 14 May 2008

DOZENS of officers stood to attention as the coffin bearing the body of a former community policeman was carried into church for his funeral yesterday.

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Ceremony: A motorcycle helmet was also carried

Officers formed a guard of honour to pay their respects to PC Malcolm Ruddick, a popular bobby who died aged 46 after battling against cancer.

A police hat was placed on the coffin as it was carried into the church while a motorbike helmet was also carried to the ceremony in tribute to PC Ruddick’s love of motorcycles.

The county’s chief constable, Craig Mackey, and Chief Superintendent Andy Davidson, PC Ruddick’s commanding officer, were among those gathered at St Andrew’s Church in Penrith for the ceremony.

Mr Mackey had previously praised the “positive effect” PC Ruddick had on the communities he served, saying he was sadly missed by other officers.

Mr Ruddick, whose career also included spells in Seascale and in the force’s traffic squad, died peacefully at home in Penrith surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 3.

He was a community PC in the town until his ill-health forced him to retire last November.

Friends and colleagues have described PC Ruddick as always having the interests of the community at heart.

He was also a loving dad to his three children, Steve, Stuart and Rachael.

His funeral was followed by cremation at Carlisle Crematorium.

Donations will be given to the children’s wing of the Eden Valley Hospice, Carlisle, as Mr Ruddick was a strong supporter of children’s charities.