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PCC Bob Jones service memorial attended by 800 people | PCC Bob Jones service memorial attended by 800 people |
(2 days later) | |
A memorial service to celebrate the life of former West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones has taken place in Wolverhampton. | A memorial service to celebrate the life of former West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones has taken place in Wolverhampton. |
The service at the Civic Hall was attended by more than 800 people including members of his family, local MPs and police officers. | The service at the Civic Hall was attended by more than 800 people including members of his family, local MPs and police officers. |
Mr Jones, 59, from Wolverhampton, who was elected to the role in November 2012, died at home on 1 July. | Mr Jones, 59, from Wolverhampton, who was elected to the role in November 2012, died at home on 1 July. |
A private funeral at Bushbury Crematorium was held after the service. | A private funeral at Bushbury Crematorium was held after the service. |
A police guard of honour saluted Mr Jones's coffin as it arrived at the Civic Hall. | A police guard of honour saluted Mr Jones's coffin as it arrived at the Civic Hall. |
West Midlands Police said flags were flying at half mast on all its buildings. | West Midlands Police said flags were flying at half mast on all its buildings. |
Chief Constable Chris Sims said: "[Bob] will be a tough act to follow. | Chief Constable Chris Sims said: "[Bob] will be a tough act to follow. |
"I shall miss the man I have worked with for more than 15 years. He was dogged, quirky, loyal and dedicated." | "I shall miss the man I have worked with for more than 15 years. He was dogged, quirky, loyal and dedicated." |
The service lasted for an hour-and-a-half and included tributes from the shadow minister for policing, Jack Dromey, and senior Wolverhampton councillor, John Reynolds, who was Mr Jones's cousin. | |
He said: "The memory I hope many people will have of him was as a very straightforward, honest man that always did his best to help people. | He said: "The memory I hope many people will have of him was as a very straightforward, honest man that always did his best to help people. |
"I think if we could all be a bit more like Bob, I think the world would be a better place." | "I think if we could all be a bit more like Bob, I think the world would be a better place." |
People attending the service wore an item of red clothing to symbolise Mr Jones's connections with the Labour party. | People attending the service wore an item of red clothing to symbolise Mr Jones's connections with the Labour party. |
The congregation also included local members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), of which he was a member. | The congregation also included local members of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), of which he was a member. |
Paul Flint, 42, from Wolverhampton, said he had known Mr Jones for 10 years, after meeting him at a beer festival. | Paul Flint, 42, from Wolverhampton, said he had known Mr Jones for 10 years, after meeting him at a beer festival. |
"He was a very likable, very popular man and he will be missed by a lot of people around Wolverhampton," he said. | "He was a very likable, very popular man and he will be missed by a lot of people around Wolverhampton," he said. |
Mr Jones served as a Labour councillor in Wolverhampton for 33 years and was also a member of the West Midlands Police Authority. | Mr Jones served as a Labour councillor in Wolverhampton for 33 years and was also a member of the West Midlands Police Authority. |
In 2010 he was awarded a CBE for services to policing. | In 2010 he was awarded a CBE for services to policing. |
He courted controversy when he called for PCCs to be scrapped, but also lent his support to several campaigns while occupying the role. | He courted controversy when he called for PCCs to be scrapped, but also lent his support to several campaigns while occupying the role. |
An election to fill the vacancy left by Mr Jones's death will be held in August. | An election to fill the vacancy left by Mr Jones's death will be held in August. |
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