THE father of murdered Sussex PC Jeffrey Tooley, today pleaded: "Please help find my son's killer."

Barry Tooley, 51, flew from his home in America today following the hit and run death of his 26-year-old son on Saturday.

Fighting back tears and embracing Jeff's distraught brother Russ, he said: "Jeff was very proud to be a police officer.

"It was his whole life, as Jeff was ours.

"I would appeal to all parents, brothers and sisters if they know anything then come forward and help with inquiries."

He said that police, sadly, were underestimated by people in this country and that people should do more to help them.

Russ Tooley, 23, said: "Jeff's happiest days were in the police, fighting for justice . . . now give him some justice."

PC Tooley was left dying in the street after being mown down by the driver of an F-reg Renault Trafic van which dragged him 100 yards along the A259 Brighton road at Shoreham.

He was rushed unconscious to Worthing Hospital and put on a life support system but died just before noon yesterday. His grieving mother Veronica, 50, was at his bedside.

Detectives are treating the death as murder and more than 50 officers are working on the case.

PC Tooley was attempting to stop the speeding Renault that police believe was doing more than 50mph in the 30mph zone.

Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse said PC Tooley was dressed properly in yellow reflective jacket and hat and was using a torch with a red "wand."

He added: "Any driver would have been able to see him."

The Chief Constable paid tribute to the dead PC. "He loved the work he did," he said. "We are very sad to lose him. He was a very popular colleague.

"I was talking yesterday with colleagues who are still coming to terms with his death. They said he was such a nice chap - why did it have to be him?"

PC Tooley, a single man, lived in Sompting. His mother's home is at Yapton. His parents are divorced.

He has another brother, Christopher, who is 17 next month.

Tributes poured in to Lewes Police headquarters today and one was read by the Chief Constable during today's Press conference.

It came from the Sussex Ambulance Service, who expressed their sincere condolences.

Colleagues of PC Tooley, including the officer who was with him when he was hit by the van, have been deeply shaken by the death and some have been offered counselling.

Det Sup Alan Ladley, heading the inquiry, said he believes a burnt-out Renault Trafic found at Devil's Dyke two hours after the fatal crash is probably involved.

He said: "More witnessed have come forward and they now believe the vehicle to be an F-registered white van with a dark-coloured stripe down one side.

"More forensic work is being carried out," he said, adding a direct appeal to the driver: "Come forward and tell us what happened."

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