The sudden and untimely death of PC Andy Hocking on Sunday has led to an unprecedented outpouring of grief from all corners of the community as family, friends and acquaintances struggle to come to terms with the news.

Andy, who had built up an army of friends during his time as a neighbourhood beat manager, first in Penryn and then in Arwenack, was just 52. He was taken ill at the wheel of his car while driving around Pendennis Point and it is thought he then suffered a heart attack which proved fatal. It is believed his wife, Sally, was with him at the time.

READ: Tributes to PC Andy Hocking have been flooding in from far and wide

READ: Andy Hocking memorial parade to take place in Falmouth on Saturday

News of his death spread like wildfire thanks to social media with hundreds, if not thousands, of people taking to Facebook and Twitter to leave tributes and post favourite photographs.

Almost immediately, Matt Barnicoat hit upon the idea of a memorial march for Andy, which has been entitled “Walk the beat one last time....” and will take place on Saturday. Already 1,600 people have pledged to attend the event which will see walkers set off from The Moor at 1pm and head through town to Events Square.

Andy and Sally, who lived in Penryn, had been childhood sweethearts and had two daughters, Megan, who now lives in Bristol, and Gracie. Andy also leaves behind his elderly mother and two brothers.

Although Andy was best known as a community police officer, he did not join the police force until he was in his early 30s. Before that he had been a printer, but never looked back after deciding to make the dramatic career change.

He started his life as a PC in Camborne before being posted to Penryn station and ultimately, Falmouth, where he had grown up.

With the advent of community policing, he become Penryn’s neighbourhood beat manager when he was given a special bravery award for his role in rescuing an elderly couple from their blazing Penryn home.

He later took up the same role for Arwenack in Falmouth which put in him direct contact with town centre businesses, shoppers, Falmouth University (or the College of Arts as it was known then) and local schools.

During this time he was given a community hero award in 2005 by Downing Street for going above and beyond the call of duty in this role.

His colleagues at the police station have been left stunned by news. Falmouth Inspector Ian Thompson said: “It was with great sadness that I learnt of PC Andy Hocking passing away on Sunday. My and the rest of Falmouth police’s thoughts are with his wife Sally and two daughters Gracie and Megan.

“I’d like to thank the officers who were directly and indirectly involved when news of Andy’s death became known. I’m sure this would have been appreciated by Andy’s family.

“The staff at Falmouth Police Station are still coming to terms with the shock of this news and I would like to extend our thanks for the kind words flooding in from the community.

“Andy soon gained the support of the council, shop keepers and residents of Falmouth and over the years his ties with the people of the town have got stronger and stronger.

“Andy will be sorely missed by his family, colleagues and the community which he served with a smile for many years. For many Andy is the face of Falmouth and the town has lost one of its greatest icons.”

Devon and Cornwall’s crime commissioner, Tony Hogg, added: “I am shocked and extremely saddened to hear that PC Andy Hocking has died. He was an inspiration for neighbourhood policing in Falmouth.”