AN officer who was part of telly's Police Interceptors team has died of cancer aged 34.
Colleagues paid tribute to popular PC Gavin Smith, who was being treated for cancer of the spine.
The Durham Constabulary officer, known as Gav, had recently left hospital and was given a police escort as he returned to his home in Bishop Auckland.
The force confirmed he died peacefully yesterday morning surrounded by family. He leaves his wife Kezi and daughter Tilly, four.
Kezi said: “I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support which has been overwhelming.
“It has been a real comfort to both me and Tilly that he was so well regarded by so many. We will both miss him so very much."
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Inspector Ed Smith said: "Gav was extremely popular with colleagues and always had a smile on his face.
"He really was a glass half full kind of guy and even right towards the end he was thinking about other people and about supporting his family.
“He will be sorely missed by all at the force.”
Dozens of fellow officers and friends changed their Facebook profile pictures to a solemn image of a blue flame alongside the number 2353 - believed to be Gav's collar number - in tribute to the hugely popular cop.
Hundreds of comments poured out on the Durham Constabulary Facebook page paying tribute to the "true gentleman".
Edel Smyth wrote: "Devastated beyond words Gav. You had my back at more jobs than I can remember. Always upbeat with that infectious smile of yours. You were a gentleman. From everyone at NEAS that you worked with, laughed with, and protected over the years, but most personally from the bottom of my heart, rest easy buddy. You were one in a million."
And Sue Drawoh wrote: "He was a true gentleman, always smiling, always making you laugh and was a massive part of our shift even after he went to RPU. He will be missed by everyone who knew him."
Paul Canvin said: "RIP Gav, you will be missed mate, you have left a footprint in the heart of everyone who knew you, you are one in a million mate, it was a privilege and a honour to have worked with you."
And Richard Day said:"Gav was one in a million. A true friend and colleague who put other people first and always went that extra mile to make people smile."
Gav, originally from Whitley Bay, had been with the force for 12 years and worked with the Roads Policing Unit based at Spennymoor.
He was part of the team that featured on the Channel 5 documentary series Police Interceptors.
Colleagues had recently been fundraising to send him and his family away for a weekend.
The money will instead be passed to them to use as they see fit.
Last year we told how a banned driver caused chaos in a high speed cop chase before attacking a cameraman from the Channel 5 show.
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