A “giant of a man” and “father figure” to police officers on the Isle of Man has died after he contracted Covid-19.
Retired sergeant Richard Lloyd, 57, died in hospital on Saturday and was the second death on the island from the virus.
Married father-of-one Mr Lloyd had strong connections with Merseyside Police where he followed in the footsteps of his parents who served in the force and where his son Andrew is currently a sergeant. He later moved to the Isle of Man to carry on his police service and went on to become head coach of the island’s judo team.
Tributes poured in for Mr Lloyd including from the island’s Chief Constable Gary Roberts, who tweeted on Saturday: “Today has been the saddest of my 36 yr police career. So many of us are heartbroken after the death of a friend, colleague and giant of a man, who has been taken by this wicked virus.”
Son Andrew tweeted: “He died alone but with a team of now traumatised medics. If 1 person stayed home, he’d be alive. Stay home. Please.”
On its Facebook page, Isle of Man Judo posted: “The squad are all devastated by this news. We are a small but tight-knit group. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time. Our job now is to make sure his legacy lives on through judo.”
Isle of Man Constabulary historian Dean Johnson said Mr Lloyd was “one of the most beloved members of our police family”.
He said: “The depth of loss felt by all who knew Richie is unfathomable. Seldom in life do people have such an impact on others like he did. It would not be an overestimation to say that the vast majority of police officers and staff on the island have in some way been positively influenced by this giant of a man.
“Richie acted as a father figure to many of us, old and young in service and did so with the kindest, gentlest of demeanours. He was nobody’s fool but he just had the most engaging and charming manner that disarmed all but the most hardened of hearts. We loved him, purely and simply.
“Even after retiring as a full-time police officer, Richie kept his association with the police family strong by working at HQ in a support role, as well as helping to lead the next generation of potential police officers – working closely with the Police Youth Scheme.
“His wonderful character kept sparkling, although undoubtedly the role he excelled in and loved the most was that of father and grandfather.
