THE flag on Wycombe police station has been flying at half-mast since the death of Sergeant Louise Gibson, whose funeral will be held tomorrow.

The Thames Valley Police flag has been at half-mast ever since the body of the popular 43-year-old was found in woodland in Great Kingshill on May 19.

Ahead of the mother-of-three’s funeral tomorrow, Chief Inspector Colin Seaton said: “It has been a difficult time for everyone connected with Thames Valley Police, so the flag has been at half-mast out of respect to Louise.

“The loss of a colleague has an impact on everyone here, particularly one as popular and respected as Louise Gibson.”

Sgt Gibson returned to her parents’ home in Gt Kinghill after being on duty on May 15 but she disappeared at 5.30pm sparking a police search.

But the huge operation was called off after a dog walker found her body in Crook’s Wood to the north of the village at 3.55pm four days later.

Sgt Gibson’s family described her as the "nicest, sweetest and most selfless person imaginable".

Wycombe Commander Superintendent Ed McLean called Sgt Gibson an “exceptional officer” who was “almost like a mother figure” to her colleagues.

Tributes also flooded in from officers and forces from around the country, with a minute's silence held before the annual meeting of the Police Federation's Sergeants' Central Committee.