A POLICE officer who spent 35 years in the force, never regretting one day of it has died in hospital in Hereford.

Former Superintendent John Henry Westwood shared his police service between Herefordshire and Worcestershire and when he retired in 1984 he chose to make his home near Ross-on-Wye.

Mr Westwood, who was aged 78 died at the County Hospital less than 12 months after losing his wife Hazel in November last year.

Army service

His funeral took place at Hereford Crematorium last Friday.

Mr Westwood was born in Worcester and his first job was that of clerk with the Great Western Railway.

In 1943 he joined the army, gaining a commission in the former South Staffordshire Regiment.

His service took him to India on internal security duties, becoming an acting Brigade Major at the age of 21. He returned to 'blighty', went back to GWR and then chose the police force as a career, joining Worcester City force in 1949.

Ten years later he became a sergeant and in 1965 came to Hereford as an inspector soon to take charge of the traffic department.

The amalgamation of the two county forces saw Mr Westwood promoted to Superintendent and transferred to Redditch.

But two years later he was back in Hereford as deputy to the divisional commander before moving to Ross-on-Wye to form a new sub division.

When he retired in 1984 chairman of Ross Magistrates Tom Passey said that during his time the town and district had been policed in a way which had given the inhabitants the greatest confidence.

Mr Westwood is survived by his son Brian, grandchildren and great grandchildren.