The wife and three-year-old daughter of a policeman who died this month have said an emotional farewell to him.
PC David Robinson had been fighting brain tumours for nearly half his life when he finally succumbed to cancer on November 5, aged 32.
This morning, at a funeral with a police guard of honour, his coffin was carried by uniformed officers into St Andrew's Church in Leicester Forest East, where his daughter, Amelia, placed his police cap on top of the coffin.
Her mother, Almina, laid a red rose beside it and later in the service spoke of her gratitude for having know David.
She said: "Everyone should have a hero and how lucky am I that I got to say that my hero was my husband, my best friend and the father of my daughter?
"I could talk forever and not stop because there's so much to say when you're lucky enough to encounter a man as rare as David.
"I fell in love with him before he even knew me and knew then he was the one I one love forever."
She said David often asked her why she wanted to be with him, knowing about the tumours he had been fighting since the age of 17.
She said: "There was so much he could have cried about but his utter love for life was infectious.
"He never let his illness define him. He never faltered in his courage or gave up the fight."
The service was attended by about 200 people including numerous police officers, Chief Constable Simon Cole and commissioner Sir Clive Loader.
There were also tributes from two of David's superiors in Leicestershire Police.
Retired chief inspector Rosie Burton said: "David was part of the police family and along with Almina and Amelia he always will be."
Sergeant Nick White said: "People loved working with him and have been inspired by him.
"David, you can rest in peace knowing you have given so much to so many and for that you will never be forgotten."
