A FORMER Kidderminster police chief who "took the law to the letter" has died, aged 86.
Sydney Bytheway won respect from criminals as well as constables when he was chief inspector in the town, his family said.
"The rogues of Kidderminster respected him," said his daughter, Hazel Lawrence. "He was very straight and went by the book. He took the law to the letter."
His son-in-law, Ron Lawrence, said the war veteran once "tapped me on the knee" while driving to warn that he was one mile an hour over the 30mph speed limit.
Mr Bytheway, who lived in Franche Road, came to the town in 1963 and retired 10 years later. Born in Shropshire, he served in the Royal Engineers during the Second World War.
He rejoined the police in Worcester after the war and spent a year in Australia, where his parents emigrated to in 1950.
Mr Bytheway enjoyed 65 years of marriage with Phyllis, who said: "He was very well liked and was very kind. He always thought of people."
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