AN award-winning police officer who was killed by a horror smash on the A12 has today been hailed as caring and selfless by his distraught sons.Sergeant Bob Walsham, 48, who lived in Hadleigh had been looking forward to his wedding later this year before tragedy struck on Tuesday.

AN award-winning police officer who was killed by a horror smash on the A12 has today been hailed as caring and selfless by his distraught sons.

Sergeant Bob Walsham, 48, who lived in Hadleigh had been looking forward to his wedding later this year before tragedy struck on Tuesday.

Today his sons, 20-year-old Fraser and 15-year-old Ben, spoke of their love for their fearless father who had been a dedicated police officer for 26 years, and urged witnesses to the crash at East Bergholt to come forward.

Fraser said: “My dad was a caring, selfless person who would concentrate and deal with everyone else's problems before his own.

“He carried out a lot of charity work for many different organisations, including participating in bungee-jumping events and motorcycle rallies.

“He was an active, fearless man who lived on adrenaline, loving kite-carting and skateboarding.”

Ben added: “My dad loved the job and was highly thought of among his colleagues, including senior officers.

“In fact, his regular prisoners also respected him probably because of his calm and controlled demeanour.

“He was just simply caring, fun-loving and absolutely adored the police service.”

Sgt Walsham spent 19 years with Essex police after seven years in the Metropolitan force. During his time with Essex he was awarded three Chief Constable's Commendations and the Millard Trophy for work in West Clacton.

In 2007 he moved to a post in Colchester town centre while living in Hadleigh with his 32-year-old fiancée Emma and her four children. The couple were due to marry in August.

Sgt Walsham had previously been married to Pat for 15 years and they had three children, Fraser, Ben, and a daughter called April who died two days after she was born in 1991.

He was a motorcycle enthusiast and a member of the Black Shuck Bike Club based in Little Oakley, near Harwich.

The fatal collision happened on the London-bound stretch of the A12 at East Bergholt when a silver Vauxhall Corsa and a purple Kawasaki motorcycle driven by Sgt Walsham collided at about 2.30pm.

The female driver of the Corsa was unhurt but Sgt Walsham was certified dead at the scene.

Anyone with information about this crash is urged to contact Pc Steve Griggs at the road policing unit at Suffolk police on 01473 613500.

Would you like to pay a tribute to Sergeant Bob Walsham? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.