A Scottish police officer in Canada has died after being attacked with a weapon while trying to intervene in a disturbance.
Police Constable Allan Young, originally from Dumbarton, was off-duty when he was set upon by a man in the city of Nelson, British Columbia, last Thursday.
The 26-year-old suspect has since been arrested, although more details on the incident are currently not known.
Veteran cop Allan, 55, was put on life support, with local media reporting that he was not expected to survive the ordeal.
He passed away in hospital surrounded by his loved ones on Tuesday night.
A spokesperson for Abbotsford Police, where he worked, led tributes to their fallen “brother” who “cannot be replaced.”
Sgt. Judy Bird said: “This has left our entire department and community without words. This is very, very sad for us.
“Even if you knew Allan or not, wherever he went he went with a smile on his face.
“He always made you smile. If you weren’t in the best of moods, he walked in the room, he was contagious.
“He had a joke to crack, he had a laugh. He was just a lovely, lovely soul. His energy will be missed.
Allan was born and raised in Dumbarton before entering the Royal Navy as a marine engineering mechanic at the age of 16.
He served until 1987 before emmigrating to Canada ten years later, joining the Toronto Police Service in 2000.
Allan went on to join the Abbotsford Police Department in 2004, spending his 16 years with the department in patrol as well as the Drug Enforcement Unit.
The force’s Chief Constable, Mike Serr, took to Twitter following the sad news, saying: “With a heavy heart our #AbbyPD family says goodbye to Cst Allan Young.
“Allan was proud to wear the badge; to protect & serve.
“He's remembered by all for his smile & infectious personality. #RIP brother – you made a difference.”
