Coleen Miller: Tributes paid to mum-of-two police sergeant found dead at her home
Tributes have been paid to a mum-of-two police officer who was found dead at her home.
Sgt Coleen Mellor was discovered at her home, leaving her family, friends and colleagues devastated.
Friends have set up a fundraising appeal to help provide for the 40-year-old’s family, giving her sons’ dad Craig some “breathing space” as he helps the children get used to life without her.
A statement from Elisia Sharpe and Hannah Cotterill says: “It is with unbearable sadness that I share the heart breaking news of Coleen Mellor's passing.
“Coleen was a bright light in the lives of all who knew her, but most importantly a devoted mother to Noah and Charlie.
“Coleen was not only an incredible dedicated police sergeant, but an adored mother to Noah and Charlie, beloved daughter to Julie and Eddie, precious sister to Hannah and Rhys and an amazing friend. Craig who is Coleen's son’s father is now raising their boys alone, while they face unimaginable grief.
“While we cannot replace the love of a mother, we can surround Noah and Charlie with the support from the community for the two boys she loved with all her heart. Noah will sit his GCSE's this year and Charlie is in Year 8 at school. The boys loved their mum so deeply, and facing their future without her is unimaginable.
”The funds raised will help to give them some breathing space. Whether that's to help with everyday costs, time off work so Craig can support Noah and Charlie, or simply space to grieve and begin to heal.
“If you are able to give, please do. If you can't, even sharing this message means so much. Thank you for keeping Craig, Noah and Charlie who loved Col so much in your thoughts. We will love her forever. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
Coleen, who was found dead at her home in Wakefield on Thursday, January 15, was an officer at West Yorkshire Police. The force’s Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, has also paid tribute, saying its members were “devastated”: “All at West Yorkshire Police Federation are devastated to report the off-duty death of our colleague Sgt Coleen Mellor last week. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and close colleagues at this time and we are supporting them as best as we can.
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“Coleen will be remembered on the Wakefield and Leeds district teams as a popular colleague and she will be much missed.”
It added that any police officers or staff members who are struggling “should know that they are not alone, and that there are people there to help. This includes, for immediacy: Samaritans: call 116 123 and Oscar Kilo’s Mental Health Crisis Lines: call 0300 131 2789.”