Tributes paid to well-known former Wolverhampton police officer after death aged 57

Gary Matthews died on Monday, aged 57, after being admitted to New Cross Hospital six weeks ago having had difficulty breathing.

Gary joined West Midlands Police as a cadet in 1979 and later became a well-known community officer in the Wednesfield and Ashmore Park areas. He retired from the force, at the age of 48.

His devastated son Dave Matthews, said he had been "the most amazing father we could have ever wished for".

Dave said they had lost his nan, Ilona, 94, to Covid-19 on the same day his father was admitted to hospital at the end of March. Gary had battled the virus for six weeks in intensive care.

He leaves behind wife Elaine, son Dave, daughter Natalie, granddaughter Elliana, mother Sheila and the rest of the Matthews family.

The family have encouraged people to stick to social distancing rules as they paid tribute to the "larger than life" son, husband, father and grandfather.

Gary's daughter, Natalie, said: "He was just an amazing dad and doting granddad, my daughter was the apple of his eye. He was very loving, very kind – everyone described him as a very happy man.

"He used to be a police officer in Wednesfield and used to be a beat bobby covering Ashmore Park. He really loved his career. He became a cadet in 1979 and he retired when he was 48. He's been living a retired life since he was 48, which has been wonderful for him being able to experience lovely holidays with my mom.

"He was amazing at swimming. He was a big boned man, he was going to the gym up to five times a week, he was doing bike rides. He was a very fit man.

"He was an avid Wolves fan, he used to go to the matches regularly. We are going to do a fundraising page to get a memorial brick at the ground if we can, it's really important to us. Wolves was his passion.

"He did really fight the virus. As a family as a whole, we are torn apart. He was a very special man. We will all continue to love him and miss him."

His son Dave said: "He was literally a larger than life character. He was loved by so many people which has been so evident in the last few days with the messages of support we have received. Over the last six weeks the support and phone calls from people who have known him over the years – it has been people who he came into contact just a few times.

"People always said he was a warm, happy person – always cheerful and always smiling. He did have that impact on a lot of people, including us.

"He was just an amazing father. We are a very close knit family and this has taken two people from us."

He added in a tribute on Facebook: "Thankfully we were able to be with him in his final moments, to be able to hold his hand see him, tell him how much we loved him and thank him for being the most amazing father we could have ever wished for.

"My mom and dad gave us the best childhood and all the love we could ever ask for or need. It saddens me that I won't be going to anymore matches with you, playing silly games with you, hearing your booming laugh, being able to talk to you when I need advice or having a lot of drinks and singing blue moon terribly on the tube with you and uncle Rob.

"All I can ever do is to try and be half the man my dad was and to continue to live with all the great memories he has given us. We will forever miss and remember him for the great man that he was."

His wife, Elaine, who had been married to Gary since 1986, said: "Gary was a very happy man. Someone referred to him as the smiley policeman – he was.

"He was a family man, we have a two and a half year old granddaughter and she was the apple of the eye.

"He was very dedicated to his job. He was a good old fashioned policeman. A fellow bobby said Gary was the only person that could arrest by appointment. They would all agree!

"He had got time for anybody and always had a smile on his face. That's one of the reasons I fell in love with him, because he was such a happy person."

Wednesfield North Councillor Phil Bateman added: "Many of my constituents will know Gary Matthews. He was a long time officer here in Wednesfield. Born locally he was a well known figure on the beat and delivering community policing.

"I am sure there will be many Ashmore Parkers and Wednesfield residents who will remember Gary, as a guy who always had a grin and a smile.

"I know I very much appreciated Gary’s humour, and his professionalism, he was a good policeman and did much for Wednesfield North.

"He was the community policeman who made a great contribution to our neighbourhoods and wider community. Always popping into clubs like the 'Good Companions’ the Old Tenants and Residents Association meetings. He was a popular and recognisable figure on Ashmore Park.

"Both Mary and I offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to Gary’s family and friends.

"Rest in peace – you made a great contribution to our community and the law and order in which we all want, and indeed need, to make happy contented lives."