Retired police officer, Jim Cockerill, who has died peacefully aged 88, was on the Sandringham beat when the late King died on February 6, 1952.

He had been stationed for 10 years at Hillington, near King's Lynn, and was often posted on the Norwich Gate when members of the Royal Family stayed at Sandringham.

He took part in the funeral procession to Wolferton station, when King George VI's body was taken to London for the state funeral. He was also asked to entertain the young Prince Charles while arrangements for the funeral were being made.

James Joseph Cockerill, who was born in Brentwood, Essex, joined the City of Norwich force as a 19-year-old constable in 1941.

He spent four years in submarines and was demobbed from the Royal Navy in 1946, when he rejoined what became Norfolk Constabulary a year later. He was posted to Reepham, then Loddon and then to west Norfolk.

He returned to Norwich where he lived for the rest of his life, serving at county headquarters in the old building at Thorpe Road and also Martineau Lane.

Promoted to sergeant in 1963, he was stationed at Wymondham when he retired after 30 years in June 1971.

He was married to Peggy, who was a Norwich girl, for 68 years.

A keen cricketer in his youth, often playing for a Sandringham XI, he followed cricket and Norwich City.

He leaves a widow, Peggy, four children, Susan, Paul, Linda and Caroline, 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

A requiem mass will be held at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Norwich, on Friday, June 17 at 10am followed by interment at Norwich Cemetery.