JOHN Moss went out onto the streets he policed for a final time on Tuesday.

That last beat ended at a packed St Mary’s Church, Kington, where family and friends were waiting to say farewell.

And they shared stories of a man who “lived by his own rules” in enforcing those he was expect to uphold.

John, Kington’s long-serving station sergeant, died earlier this month after illness, leaving a wife and three children.

Among the tributes paid at St Mary’s was from friend Dave Wilkes, who described John as one who “lived by his own rules” – rules that Kington’s police and public alike came to know.

John’s disregard for rules was legendary, the service heard. It was an attitude illustrated in the anecdote that had an elderly lady who used to walk the streets of Kington directing traffic, often posing a danger to herself and drivers, being given a high-visibility jacket by John – despite being asked to stop her doing it at all.

“He will be desperately missed. I think there will be a massive hole left in the lives of everyone who knew him and Kington will be a much poorer place with his passing,” said David.

John was born in Bromsgrove and moved to Kington to take the sergeant’s job in 1991. He was also a 30-year member of Kington Lions Club helping raise thousands for charity over the years.

Many of John’s colleagues were at the church, including Herefordshire police Superintendant Ivan Powell and Bill Rowlatt, who served with John at Kington and organised his funeral as director of Oak Tree Funeral Services.

Inspector Bob Barnett read a tribute to the ‘“diligent and caring” John that lay behind the image.

“Most people will remember John’s keen sense of humour and fun.

“When I joined Kington police I remember he said to me ‘Bob, forget all the big city police business – everyone knows everyone else here so when you mess up everyone will know’,” he said.

“He was a lovely husband, father and stalwart of the community.”