Funeral plans confirmed for Ron Hogg after police and crime commissioner loses life to Motor Neurone Disease

Ron Hogg, who died earlier this month aged 68.

The Office of the Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner has issued details of the service on behalf of the family of Mr Hogg, who died on Tuesday, December 17, aged 68.

The former teacher and police officer, who rose to become a member of the leadership teams at Durham and Cleveland before he went on to work in safeguarding at Sunderland City Council, was told of his diagnosis earlier this year.

Mr Hogg, who had been elected into the role of commissioner in 2012, had spoken of his wish for the law to be changed on assisted dying so that the could choose when to end his life.

A service will be held to celebrate Ron’s life on Tuesday, January 7, at Durham Cathedral, Palace Green, starting at 11am.

The service will be followed by a private ceremony for family and invited friends only.

This will be a full ceremonial police funeral to honour Mr Hogg.

Road closures will be in place in the city centre and localised congestion can be expected.

People on foot should be able to have good visibility of the event.

Acting Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner Steve White said “Ron was extremely popular and very well-respected by Police officers, staff, politicians and others.

“The funeral will be a celebration of the life of someone who was committed to making a real difference to society.”

In the wake of his death the force’s Chief Constable, Jo Farrell, said: “Durham Constabulary and the people of County Durham and Darlington have lost a great colleague and friend.”

Books of condolence are available at the reception desks of Police HQ, Durham County Hall, Durham Town Hall in the city’s Market Place, at and Darlington Town Hall.

A facility to leave comments for inclusion in the book, electronically, is on the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner website, which can be found by clicking here.

The family have requested that no cards or flowers are sent.

Donations can be made to St Teresa’s Hospice, Darlington, via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ron-hogg.