Hundreds of mourners gathered on Friday afternoon to pay their last respects to a popular British Police constable who died while playing rugby.

P.c. Paul Marsden, 36, collapsed from a heart attack on Sunday afternoon while playing for the Police rugby team at the National Sports Centre, Prospect. Teammates and medics battled to save him, but he was later pronounced dead in hospital.

A Police guard of honour was mounted outside St. John?s Church in Pembroke as P.c. Marsden?s Union Flag-draped coffin was brought in on the shoulders of eight of his colleagues.

His grieving family was flanked by officers of all ranks, representatives of the Government and the Bermuda Regiment, and his rugby team-mates during the poignant memorial service.

Leading the tributes was Commissioner of Police George Jackson, who spoke of the deep sense of loss felt by the Bermuda Police Service at the death of P.c. Marsden, whom he described as an officer ?deeply cherished by this organisation?.

Mr. Jackson said that the constable?s name would be placed on a roll of honour at Police headquarters.

The Rev. Nicholas Dill, who led the service, said that P.c. Marsden was described by those who knew him as ?one of life?s nice guys?.

He said the fact that the church was packed with people who wished to pay their respects showed the impact that the much-loved officer had made on the Island in just a short period of time since arriving in April, 2004.

P.c. Marsden?s earlier career was with Thames Valley Police in England.

He was once seconded to the Metropolitan Police in London where he helped many survivors of the 1999 Paddington rail disaster which claimed 31 lives.

He also had a brief but memorable role on the UK television documentary show Crimefighters which is the English version of COPS.

A keen squash player and swimmer as well as a key member of the Police rugby team, P.c. Marsden held a number of positions within the Bermuda Police Service including patrol officer in Hamilton and tutor to new recruits at the Police Training Unit, Prospect.

Bermuda Police Rugby Football Club have cancelled their match tomorrow as a mark of respect. Next weekend, P.c. Marsden?s number 15 shirt will be officially retired.