An “old-school copper” who was killed when he was struck by a pheasant while riding his motorbike has been honoured with a special recognition award by his devastated colleagues.

PC Kevin Flint, 52, was returning home to Tring from a shift at Chesham police station when his motorbike crashed on the A41 on January 15.

More than 350 people turned out to the father-of-two’s funeral on Thursday, February 7.

In tribute to their much-loved colleague, Thames Valley Police commendeded PC Flint – who was just three years away from retirement – with a special recognition award at the Community Policing Awards 2019 on Tuesday, May 21.

The awards recognise the outstanding contribution and efforts of Thames Valley Police’s officers and staff throughout the year and the positive impact that they have on the local communities that they serve.

Nominations opened in January giving members of the public, community groups, partners, police officers and staff an opportunity to put forward the names of anyone they thought deserved to be recognised for their work over the past 12 months.

More than 400 nominations were whittled down to just 14 winners, with PC Flint’s contribution recognised after nearly 30 years as a police officer.

He joined Thames Valley Police in 1992. He spent most of his time at Chesham but was also based in Prestwood, Amersham and Taplow for periods of time.

PC Flint spent some time training as a firearms officer however, he decided he wanted to return to Chesham to neighbourhood policing as a police constable where he could work directly with the local community he loved.

Paying tribute to PC Flint after his death, his brother Derek – an ambulance officer with South Central Ambulance Service and a Special Inspector with Thames Valley Police – said he was a “real people person”.

He said: “Sometimes I would work alongside Kevin in both my roles and I did that with great pride. It was a real honour to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.”