Heartfelt tributes are being made today to Jim Maddan, Mayor of Wandsworth, who sadly passed away earlier this morning (Wednesday, September 13).

Councillor Maddan, who represented Thamesfield ward in Putney, had served as a councillor in Wandsworth for 15 years.

Prior to entering local politics, he served as a police officer for 30 years and rose to the rank of inspector before his retirement in 1999.

He was the officer in charge of day-to-day policing in Putney and Roehampton from 1992 until his retirement seven years later.

Council leader Ravi Govindia said: “Jim had been unwell for some time but his passing comes as a huge and very sad shock to us all.

“He served the people of Wandsworth faithfully for many years, first as a police officer and then as a local councillor. In both roles he was a truly dedicated public servant who wanted the best for the community he loved.

“To those who were lucky enough to know him he was a larger than life character, great fun and great company and a wise and respected colleague. He will be truly missed by many, many people across our borough but especially in Putney and Roehampton.

“Our deepest thoughts, sympathies and condolences go out to his family, especially to our Mayoress Linda. Their loss is our loss too and our hearts go out to them at this very sad time.”

As well as serving as Mayor this year, councillor Maddan has also occupied the role of the borough’s first citizen between 2006 and 2007, during which time he attended more than 700 official events.

Before taking up the role for a second time in April, he had served as a cabinet member for adult care and health, a position he held from 2008 onwards.

In addition, he also chaired the borough’s health and wellbeing board and played a major role in the successful integration of public health services in the borough from the NHS to local government.

Councillor Maddan also served as a national chairman of the Neighbourhood Watch network in England and Wales, and was actively involved with this crime fighting charity from 1992 onwards.

It was in this role that he also served on a number of Home Office committees dedicated to tackling and deterring crime.

He was a past president of The Rotary Club and an active Rotarian for more than 20 years.

In January 2015, councillor Maddan was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honour List, recognising his services to policing and the community.