SENIOR West Mercia Police officers have paid tribute to a Worcestershire councillor for his wisdom, warmth and great support of the force.

We reported in yesterday’s Worcester News how Councillor Edward Sheldon MBE had died, aged 83, on Wednesday following a short battle with throat cancer.

Aside from his duties at County Hall, Councillor Sheldon, who was affectionately known as Ted, had a number of roles at West Mercia Police.

Chief Constable Paul West said: “All of us in West Mercia Police are so sorry to hear the sad news about Ted.

“During his time on the police authority he was a great supporter of policing throughout all of West Mercia. He was a regular at our various commendation and awards ceremonies and took very seriously his responsibility to express to us the public’s appreciation for the outstanding examples of police work that are recognised on those occasions.

“All who knew him, myself included, always greatly valued his wise counsel and voice of experience.”

Coun Sheldon, who received an MBE in 1983 for services to politics having started his career along that path aged 20, joined West Mercia Police Authority in June 2005 as a councillor member and was made chairman of the South Worcestershire Policing Board.

He was also a member of the Citizen Focus and Partnership Panel from July 2009, South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership, and Complaints and Professional Standards Panel. Superintendent Steve Cullen, who leads the south Worcestershire policing area, said: “His warmth and wisdom will be sorely missed.”

West Mercia Police Authority chairman and county councillor Sheila Blagg said: “Ted gave his time and unfailing commitment, not only to his communities within south Worcestershire, but also to representing the interests of the West Mercia policing area at a regional level. We will all remember his thoughtfulness to others, his loyalty and his unflinching desire to improve the environment for those he served.”

Coun Sheldon, of Northwick, Worcester, worked in social services before retiring to take up a seat at Worcestershire County Council.

He had represented constituents in the Bowbrook ward, Wychavon, since 1985.

His earlier political life included 12 years as a councillor in Ludlow and four years with Worcester City Council. He leaves his wife of more than 40 years, Daphne.