Emotional tributes are being paid to an Angus police officer following his tragic death while on duty in a local town.
PC Roy Buggins had 29 years of service and was a highly-valued and well-respected member of the Montrose and Brechin Community Policing Team.
He died while attending an incident in Montrose on Tuesday.
It is understood the officer may have suffered a medical episode.
PC Buggins was formally named by Police Scotland on Wednesday morning and was described as “a highly valued and well-respected member of the Montrose and Brechin Community Policing Team”.
Thoughts are with the family of PC Roy Buggins at this time. A great guy and well respected officer who will be sadly missed. #policefamily pic.twitter.com/CumKw43Kc3
— PC Scott Anderson (@ForfarCentrePC) September 4, 2019
He joined Tayside Police Division, then known by Tayside Police, in 1990 and was first stationed in Forfar before spells in Friockheim, Carnoustie and Arbroath. He spent his entire career in the Angus area.
Together with fellow officer PC Ally Hutchison he became a well-known face in both Montrose and Brechin, and regularly carried out visits to schools, retirement homes, Coffee with a Cop meetings and other events.
PC Buggins is survived by his wife and two children.
A police statement said they have been left “absolutely devastated” by his loss.
It adds: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our officers while in attendance at an incident.
“Our thoughts are with his friends and family, who have asked for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time”.
We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our officers while on duty yesterday.
PC Roy Buggins (51) had 29 years’ service as an officer, and was a highly valued and well-respected member of the Montrose and Brechin Community Policing Team. pic.twitter.com/k2VxoHnruU
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) September 4, 2019
PC Buggins was also remembered at the annual Scottish Police Memorial ceremony on Wednesday by Scotland’s Chief Constable Iain Livingstone.
Thank you to everyone who attended the @ScotPolMemorial service. It was an emotional day and our thoughts now turn to the family, friends and colleagues of Police Constable Roy Buggins. pic.twitter.com/wbNS8tSkuX
— Police Scotland College (@PolScotCollege) September 4, 2019
Speaking on the grounds of the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan, Mr Livingstone said: “Only yesterday police constable Roy Buggins sadly passed away after taking unwell while discharging his duties in the town of Montrose in Angus.
“Roy had over 28 years service and was looking forward to retirement.
“He was a very experienced officer who worked throughout the Tayside area, most latterly in community policing and was held in high regard by his colleagues and indeed the local community.
“I know at this particularly sad time you will join me in sending the condolences of all us here and indeed the entire policing community.”
David Hamilton, vice-chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, also paid tribute.
He said: “So very sad to lose another good colleague today. A fine officer who will be very much in my thoughts at tomorrow’s Scottish Police Memorial Service.”
So very sad to lose another good colleague today.
A fine officer who will be very much in my thoughts at tomorrow’s Scottish Police Memorial Service.
#policefamily https://t.co/RduDSzUDUQ— David Hamilton (@DvdHmltn) September 3, 2019
