Colleagues pay tribute as South Yorkshire Police officer killed in Sheffield police chase named

PC Matt Lannie, 40, was on a police motorcycle responding to an incident at around 1pm yesterday (21 April) when it collided with a blue Toyota Avensis in the Ecclesfield area.

He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Steve Kent, chairman of South Yorkshire Federation, the body representing police officers in the region, described the news as “heart-breaking”.

He said: “Matt was a very popular, funny officer and a friend to many in South Yorkshire Police. He loved his job in the roads policing group. He will be very sadly missed.”

The police vehicle driven by PC Lannie was responding to reports of a silver BMW failing to stop for officers. Investigations into the collision are ongoing.

The families of PC Lannie and the Toyata Avensis driver are being supported by specialist officers.

Mr Kent added: “The Force and the everyone at South Yorkshire Police Federation will do our very best to support his partner, family, friends and close colleagues at this extremely difficult time.”

Chief Constable Stephen Watson QPM also paid tribute to PC Lannie.

He said: “It is with great sadness that we today pay tribute to serving officer, PC Matt Lannie, who died in the line of duty. Dreadful events such as these serve to remind us of the great dangers that police officers confront every day in order to keep us all safe.“Matt was a specialist motorcycle officer in our roads policing unit and prior to this was a response officer at Sheffield. He was a very popular member of the team and he will be greatly missed.”

Mr Watson added: “The South Yorkshire police family is doing everything we can to provide support and comfort to Matt’s loved ones and his colleagues at what is a very difficult time.“Matt’s family has asked for privacy and we ask their wishes are respected in order to allow them the time and space they so richly deserve.”