Sunderland coroner's officer who offered comfort to hundreds of families recognised as he retires

Neville Dixon spent 13 years with Sunderland Coroner’s Office, having worked in the same role covering the north of County Durham as a PC with Durham Constabulary.

The 64-year-old was presented with a Chief Superintendent’s Compliment by Northumbria Police in his last official day in the job – but will return when complex cases need an additional experienced hand.

Mr Dixon joined the police in 1976, initially covering communities in the south of the county, he was working in Seaham when he first offered cover as a coroner’s officer.

He was appointed in the role permanently in 2003, working under its senior coroner Andrew Tweddle, and retired from the force in 2008, taking up the position in Sunderland as a civilian.

He said: “In unfortunate circumstances, we work to try and get answers for families.

"I think the good thing in Durham, as it is in Sunderland, is that there is some continuity and we see it through to the end and we hopefully get that explanation.

"It’s the type of job that you have to have the aptitude for and you need to work as a team.

"I’ve had good support from the team and a supportive coroner with Mr Tweddle and then Mr Winter and the others here, you need that to do the job.”

Mr Dixon, who lives in Doxford Park, will spend his retirement on his allotment and more time with his family, wife Janis, 61, daughter Jami, 35, son Greg, 33, daughter-in-law Sarah and their two-year-old Eliza.

He added: “They have been so supportive and when I first started, if you got a call in the middle of the night, you had to go out.

"When my family was young, they were very understanding, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Mr Winter, the country’s deputy chief coroner and senior coroner for Sunderland, said: “Nev has worked with me for 13 years to support my investigations and inquests.

"In that time he has supported so many families with his care, kindness and determination to try and give them answers to their questions.

"All of the team wish him well in his retirement.”

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