A POPULAR South Norwood policeman has died after a six-year battle with kidney cancer.
Kevin Arnold died aged 46 on December 27 at St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham.
PC Arnold leaves his wife Tina, 41, and three daughters, aged 15, eight and five.
PC Arnold, known as "Arnie", who became a police officer just a month before his diagnosis in December 2007, worked from South Norwood Police Station.
He was given two years to live by doctors when he was diagnosed in January 2008.
Mrs Arnold said: "They didn't think he would get as long as he did. He was always busy and he did a lot of fundraising. He was still working whenever he could.
"I think it was just his way of dealing with it. He was a very strong man and just got on and did things. He was an exceptional father and doted on his daughters."
A member of the Royal Navy for 12 years, PC Arnold will be given a full police burial after his funeral at Croydon Minster on Friday.
The doting father, who lived in Biggin Hill, knew he wanted to become a policeman as soon as he left the Navy. Mrs Arnold said he was committed to serving people.
She added: "He was very popular and he always wanted to help people and would go out of his way for them.
"He was a very caring and generous man and a very committed husband."
PC Arnold told the Advertiser in 2012 that his biggest regret was that he would never be able to walk his daughters down the aisle at their weddings.
But he was able to see all of his children start school.
At the time, PC Arnold told the Advertiser: "First of all I wasn't going to see my middle girl start school, which I did.
"Then I wanted to see my youngest start school – hopefully that will happen in September."
A fit and healthy man, the policeman was shocked by his diagnosis, saying it had come "completely out of left field".
PC Arnold died in St Christopher's Hospice and his widow has asked that any donations be made to the hospice.
PC Arnold's funeral takes place from 12.30pm on Friday at the Mitcham Road barracks.
His coffin will be placed on a naval gun and lifted by naval officers before being taken by police escort to Croydon Minster.
Police officers will then pay their respects by acting as pallbearers for the service, which starts at 1pm.
The funeral is being organised by Rowland Brothers.
