New Addington police officer collapses and dies in Beckenham (From This Is Local London)

New Addington police officer collapses and dies in Beckenham

1:07pm Friday 9th November 2012 in News By Heloise Wood

AN “OUTSTANDING" police officer died in Beckenham on Tuesday morning (Nov 6).

PC Mark Parsons, 43, collapsed and died at around 10am while off-duty and the cause of death is still unknown.

He was known to colleagues as a “true bobby on the beat”.

PC Parsons worked on the Fieldway Safer Neighbourhoods Team in New Addington, Croydon, having previously served with Kent Police for several years and also with the Met.

Acting Croydon borough commander Superintendent Rob Atkin said: “It is with immense regret and sadness that I have to announce the death of a serving Croydon police officer.

“Mark collapsed whilst he was out and despite the best efforts of the paramedics and medical staff at Croydon University Hospital, he died later that morning.

“A cause of death has yet to be established at this time.

“Our thoughts are with Mark’s wife, two children and family and we will be doing all we can to support them at this terrible time.”

Superintendent Atkin added: “He was an outstanding police officer who genuinely cared about the people and communities he served.”