TRIBUTES have been paid to a Stirling police officer found dead at Alloa Police Station in what her family described as a “senseless tragedy”.

Rhianydd Hitchcock (29), from Plean, was discovered by colleagues around 7.40pm on Saturday 31 May after a suspected suicide.

Police said there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances and no firearms were used.

The officer, who was originally from Helensburgh, leaves behind Maia, her 14-month-old daughter.

Her death came almost six years to the day that she joined the force and in a statement her family said Rhianydd was “proud” to have been the first Type 1 diabetic accepted into what was then Central Scotland Police.

They added, “We would like to thank everyone for their kind words following the sudden passing of our beloved daughter and sister Rhianydd. She was accomplished with so much left to do.

“Our big lassie will be so missed by ourselves, her special girl Maia and all her many friends. Following this senseless tragedy we ask to be left to deal with our grief privately at this time.” Her death has shocked the local policing community and as a mark of respect the station flag flying at Stirling’s Randolphfield, the former Central Scotland Police headquarters, was lowered to half-mast on Monday afternoon. Condolence books have also been put in place at local police stations.

Friends and colleagues have taken to Facebook to share their grief, creating a group and page ‘In Memory of 184’, named after her officer number.

It reads, “In memory of Rhianydd Hitchcock, a girl with the biggest family around, who was sadly taken from us 31 May 2014.” Fellow officer, Mark Ormesher, wrote that in the time he knew Rhianydd he got to know a “caring and all round great person, colleague and friend, who was a total riot but nobody would have changed that about you”.

Sarah Stott wrote, “We had our assessment day together, went to college together and then the same shift where you refused to make the tea!!...Am crying a river in Normandy and will think of you always. Sweet dreams beautiful.” Lorna Deans wrote, “Six years ago today I first met Rhianydd when we joined Central Scotland Police and went to Tulliallan. Lots of memories from our time together at college. My thoughts are with her family. Rest is peace Rhi. Xxx” A post-mortem will be carried out to establish the exact cause of her death and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. Welfare procedures have been set in place for officers and colleagues.

Chief Superintendent David Flynn, Forth Valley Divisional Commander, said Rhianydd was a “loyal and committed officer” who was popular with colleagues.

He added, “She was doing the job she loved and had recently gained the leadership diploma allowing her to be considered for promotion.

“We are very saddened by her death, it is a tragic loss and she will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.

“Our sympathies are very much with her family at this distressing time. We will do all we can to support them as they try to come to terms with her passing.”