Family Of Former Chief Constable Pay Tribute

The family of Simon Cole have said their ‘hearts are broken’ as they paid tribute to the former Leicestershire Police chief constable.

Mr Cole, who was aged 55, was found dead at his home in Kibworth Harcourt last Wednesday, just 12 days after retiring from the force he had led for 12 years.

Tributes have poured in since his death and his wife, Jo Cole, says that has given the family a great deal of comfort.

Simon Cole

In a statement, she said: “Your kind words have given us comfort and support.

“Our hearts are broken at the loss of Simon.

“Our family knows we have to share this grief with so many people that knew Simon.

“Simon had such a huge impact on so many people, through his many years with the police but also through charities and sports clubs.

“He had a huge energy for life and everything he did was about making things better for people.”

Mr Cole had worked in policing for 30 years and as well as a number of police support and advisory roles, he had also been vice-president of Leicestershire Guides and Scouts.

“We are not sure how we will manage to come to terms with Simon not being here,” added Ms Cole.

“We were planning many exciting things for his retirement.

“In the last few weeks of his job as chief constable, I know that he was moved by the love, support and admiration that his colleagues gave him and how kind the community were to him about what he had achieved in his career.

“We have to find strength now to live our lives without him.”