Tributes to former Shropshire policeman Tony
Tributes have been paid to a policeman after his death following a three-year battle with cancer.
Tony Martin, who would often be seen patrolling the streets of Highley, near Bridgnorth, died on March 31, aged 71.
Mr Martin, who also lived in the village, worked his way up to detective constable, working in Bridgnorth, Stourport and Kidderminster. He was heavily involved in the community and became a founding member of Highley Swimming Club.
Mr Martin's son, Paul, said: "My father was a well known village bobby and detective constable. He started his policing career in Kidderminster where he worked on the beat before becoming a motorcycle traffic policeman. He became the resident policeman in Highley and worked in the village from 1973 to 1976.
"During this time he helped run the swimming club during the 1970s until the late 1980s with other dedicated locals, teaching hundreds of local children to swim.
"In his earlier years he swam for Worcestershire and Worcestershire Police."
Mr Martin spent nine years as a Detective Constable in CID at Bridgnorth. He moved to Kidderminster for a further nine years with Special Branch before retiring in 1996.
Mr Martin is survived by his wife Tena, son Paul, daughter Sarah, and grandchildren Isobel, Ava and Daniel. The funeral will be tomorrow at Wyre Forest Crematorium at noon, following by a service in St Mary's Church, Highley, at 2pm.
