A SIMPLE message in a condolence book summed up why hardened police officers choked back the tears as they paid a last tribute to young traffic cop Jeff Tooley.

Hundreds of mourners heard Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse quote an extract from the book opened at Shoreham police station after the death of the 26-year-old officer.

A colleague had written: "When one of us falls, the rest of us stumble."

It seemed almost every traffic officer in Sussex was at Chichester Cathedral for the funeral of the first Sussex officer in living memory to be killed during an alleged crime.

But although it was a full police funeral there were also moving and deeply personal touches from the Tooley family.

His parents, Veronica and Barry, choose a classic song by Nat King Cole as the coffin was carried into the cathedral.

They gripped the hands of their two other sons, Russ, 23, and Chris, 17, as the words to Smile echoed through the 900-year-old building.

They chose it because of lyrics such as - "Smile, though your heart is breaking" and "Smile, what's the use of crying?"

But the tears were inevitable for an officer who touched the lives of everyone he came into contact with and died doing his duty.

There were moving testimonies, ranging from the way he dealt with horrific road accidents to a driver stopped for speeding by the traffic officer.

The driver remembered the officer's name when they read about his death, which happened on the night of Saturday April 24 in Brighton Road, Shoreham, and sent the personal testimony to his father.

Barry Tooley read the letter from the cathedral pulpit. It said: "I remember his kindness to me when I became distressed. He was polite, courteous and a credit to you both."

Mr Tooley said any parent would be expected to extol the virtues of his son but this was a letter from a person who had met him just once while he was doing his job.

After reading it Mr Tooley added: "I believe that says it all."

The officer lost his battle for life 12 hours later after being struck by a van.

Mr Tooley said seeing so many people in the cathedral had overwhelmed the family.

He spoke of the love Jeff and his brothers Russ and Chris had for each other.

Mr Tooley fought back tears as he ended his tribute by thanking Jeff for "26 years of fun, sadness, love and tears".

Earlier, Chief Constable Whitehouse spoke of some of the incidents during which PC Tooley's special qualities shone through - from risking his life during a serious fire to dealing with the aftermath of a road crash in Brighton's Ditchling Road which claimed three lives.

He said: "Jeff was always immaculately turned out and he always set high standards. He was eloquent and could deal with people from all walks of life."

He told how the officer had recently started attending sign language courses to make himself a better officer.

The Chief said: "There is no doubt that Jeff embodied everything that the public holds dear in the British police service. He was helpful, professional and compassionate."

PC Tooley joined Sussex Police in 1990 and had been a traffic officer at Shoreham for two years.

The family live in Felpham, near Bognor, where all three Tooley sons attended the same community college.

Russ, who works at Arun Leisure Centre and Chris, an A-level student, watched as Mr Whitehouse saluted the coffin as it arrived at the magnificent west door of the cathedral.

Draped with the force flag it bore his cap and a floral display of his warrant card number CT483.

But to the officers who worked with him PC Tooley was more than a number.

After the service fellow Shoreham traffic officer PC Chris Snell said: "He was a wonderfully kind, considerate guy."

All the emergency services were represented at the cathedral, including ambulance paramedics who worked alongside PC Tooley at the scene of road crashes.

Sussex Police Authority chairman Ken Bodfish led mourners from the authority.

Police officers acted as bellringers and pallbearers for the 50-minute service, which included the hymns All Things Bright and Beautiful, The Lord's My Shepherd and Morning Has Broken.

A30-strong guard of honour stood in silent tribute outside the cathedral as a motorcycle escort brought the coffin to a city centre which came to a standstill.

The service was conducted by the Dean, Canon John Treadgold, who said death was always sad but even more acute when it came as a result of tragic circumstances.

As the service ended the theme music from PC Tooley's favourite film, Star Wars, was played as the coffin was carried out into the sunlight.

PC Tooley was given a private burial at Lancing and Sompting cemetery. Family and friends later attended a private reception at Worthing's Charmandean Centre.

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