Tributes have been paid to a ‘kind-hearted & gentle’ Metropolitan Police officer who sadly died following a collision on 18th August.
PC Daniel Golding was riding his marked BMW police motorbike when he was involved in a collision with a Renault Traffic van in Bayford, Hertfordshire, at around 09:25 hours.
PC Golding sadly passed away at the scene. A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
The officer leaves his wife, Susan, and two children – Amber, 11 and Jack, 14. An emotional tribute released by the family described the officer as a “dedicated family man”.
It continued: “He was kind, modest, generous, sociable, thoughtful and funny. He spent every spare moment of his life (when he wasn’t doing DIY), with his children, playing silly games, getting them to their clubs and taking them away camping.
“Dan’s ultimate dream was to become a rider with the Special Escort Group (SEG). Over several years he was lucky enough to escort and protect the Queen and many others at national events and international summits.
“In February this year, Dan took the momentous decision to transfer to the Metropolitan Police so he could try to get a full-time role on the SEG.
“He loved his role as a police motorcyclist and as a Senior Crash Investigator, dealt with the worst kinds of tragedy in the most professional way and helped the families of those affected. Dedicated to making people safer, he was a leading advocate of the Bikesafe scheme.
“Losing this kind-hearted, gentle husband, father, brother, son and friend is a terrible sadness to everyone who knew him. He has left a hole in all of our lives that will never be filled.”
PC Golding, formerly of Hampshire Constabulary and Surrey Police, was on duty at the time of the crash but was not responding to a live incident or taking part in an active operation.
Detective Sergeant Mark Hollard from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Serious Collision Investigation United said:
“I want to pass on my condolences to PC Golding’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time; it is always sad when someone loses their life in the line of duty.
“Although the investigation is in its early stages, we are determined to conduct thorough enquiries to establish how this collision occurred.
“I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision, or the events leading up to it, to please contact police. I’d be particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have captured dash cam footage of the vehicles traveling in the area around the time. If you can help, please get in touch. Thank you.”
A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report , speak to an operator in the Herts Police Force Communications Room via their online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting Op Okaro.
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