West Somerset's Chief Superintendent suddenly dies

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A SENIOR police officer in West Somerset suddenly died on Saturday night.

Chief Superintendent Sandy Padgett died of natural causes according to the Avon and Somerset Police press office, the result of a short and sudden illness.

Before Mrs Padgett became a police officer, she was a talented and well-qualified artist, but a twist of fate turned her towards the force.

While working as a postwoman, she became the victim of a stalker. After dealing with the police about this issue, someone asked her whether or not she thought it would be a good career move, and two years later, she was wearing the uniform of a police sergeant.

When she was awarded the title of Chief Superintendent years later, she became one of Somerset’s highest-ranking women in the police force as the district commander of Taunton, Wellington, Minehad, Bridgwater and Burnham.

Sandy, who was born in Bristol and lived in Somerset for a decade, combined her police career with marriage to husband Kenneth, a teacher in Wells, and bringing up their two children, Eleanor and Alasdair.

She joined the constabulary as a police constable in 1993 and served across Bristol and at Police Headquarters in Taunton, as well as at the Home Office.

Chief Constable Colin Port has paid tribute to Mrs Padgett.

He said: “This tragic loss has come as a great shock to everybody and our deepest sympathies go to her husband and children.

“Sandy will be greatly missed by all of those who knew and worked with her. She was an exceptional police officer who was extremely well respected by all those fortunate enough to work with her.”