Tributes paid to death crash TV ‘Road Wars’ officer

An officer credited with helping to inspire the next generation of policing through a long-running TV series has died in a road accident while on duty. Tributes have been paid to Police Constable James Dixon who died along with a 91-year-old woman following a crash on the A4 in Berkshire. The Thames Valley Police (TVP) officer was riding a motorcycle that was in?collision with a car on Bath Road near Hare Hatch on Tuesday afternoon (December 5). The pensioner, who was a passenger in the car, was also killed while the female driver was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. PC Dixon, known as ‘Dixie’ to colleagues, appeared in the Sky 1 TV seriesRoad Wars which followed 14 members of TVP Roads Policing’s officers from 2003 to 2010. Among the tributes posted on the force’s Facebook page to the Loddon Valley-based officer is one from Ryan Sheehan which said: “Growing up I was a big fan of PC James `Dixie` Dixon and his @tvprp colleagues as they featured in #RoadWars. “It`s well respected officers like PC Dixon that inspire me to be a police officer. My thoughts are with all those who knew him at this very difficult time.” PC Craig O’Leary, chairman of Thames Valley Police Federation, tweeted: “Taken too soon, rest easy my friend.” Jo Gill said: “Goodnight Dixie, you really were one of the funniest and best blokes I worked with. You are irreplaceable and my heart goes out to your family both blood and blue.” Dave Bulger added: “Stand down Dixie, I can’t believe you’re gone mate. It was a real pleasure to know you and my heart goes out to your family and loved ones.” The force said the next-of-kin of both PC Dixon and the deceased pensioner have been informed. The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).