TRIBUTES have been paid by his colleagues to Sergeant Jonathan ‘Jono’ Ludwig of Tavistock Police, who has died after a brave battle with cancer.

Sergeant Ludwig died earlier this month at the age of 58. He was having treatment at Derriford Hospital.

He leaves his wife Davina and two grown up sons Tom and Freddy, who live in the family home in Bere Ferrers. His family issued a statement through police colleagues to say how proud they were of him and thanking Derriford Hospital for their care.

Sgt Ludwig joined the police in 2002 when he moved to the West Devon area with his family, having previously worked for Reuters. 

He served as a police officer for a number of years in West Devon, stationed initially at Okehampton Police Station and then out of Tavistock Police Station. He was then promoted to the rank of sergeant and moved to work for the police in Plymouth, where he worked on response and in the crime department. In more recent years, he was once again based at Tavistock Police Station, where he was the neighbourhood team leader, overseeing the policing team looking after West Devon communities.

Inspector Mark Sloman, in charge of the West Devon police sector, said: ‘Jono will be sorely missed by his colleagues. He was passionate about policing in West Devon, where he lived and brought up his family, and he was a real gentleman.

‘He was a lovely guy, with a great sense of humour and would do anything for anyone. Although he carried out a very serious role he never took himself too seriously and enjoyed his life enormously. 

‘Everybody here at the station feels that they have not just lost a colleague but a true friend. He will be missed by us all.’

Jono’s wife Davina expressed her thanks to Derriford Hospital staff for the ‘fantastic care and attention’ Jono received during his treatment and to friends who have helped the family over the last six months.

There will be a family cremation on April 3, and Sgt Ludwig’s family and friends are invited to bring a picnic and join his family on Pew Tor on Saturday, June 16 at 12 noon to reminisce and celebrate Jono’s life.