Heartfelt tributes were paid to former Putney councillor Jim Maddan at his funeral.

Councillor Maddan served on Wandsworth Council for 15 years and spent nine years as its cabinet member for adult care and health.

Prior to entering politics, he served as a police officer for 30 years and rose to the rank of inspector before his retirement in 1999.

He was the officer in charge of the day-to-day policing in Putney and Roehampton, from 1992 until his retirement seven years later.

In addition to serving as the council’s Mayor for two terms, he chaired the borough’s health and wellbeing board and served as the national chairman of the Neighbourhood Watch network in England and Wales, being actively involved with the crime fighting charity from 1992 onwards.

Councillor Maddan was also a past president of The Rotary Club, an active Rotarian for more than 20 years, and was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honour List, recognising his services to policing and the community.

Colleagues from Wandsworth Council, the Neighbourhood Watch movement, Putney constituents and others were among the mourners in attendance at St Mary’s Church, in Putney Bridge Approach.

At his funeral, council leader Ravi Govindia, said he was ‘quintessentially a Putney man, who had probably walked every inch of the town and was dedicated to protecting and improving it’.

He added: “He helped shape its landscape, he spoke up for it, he pushed for its infinite potential.

“He campaigned for Putney’s betterment – whether that was about better shopping, air quality or better infrastructure.

“He enjoyed its parks and open spaces, and loved the river and everything it represented.

“I personally first met Jim when he was the local community inspector in charge of Putney and Roehampton. He cut an impressive figure – broad, bearded and tall – made taller by the full uniform.

“In the last couple of weeks I have read many tributes and remembrances of Jim – these say so much about Jim the person.

“He was someone who was able to put people at ease whatever their background or status. He could chat about anything and everything. He always had ideas - some obvious, some just simple and obvious common sense and some whacky.

“A true and genuine servant of the people, who made a positive difference to the many lives that he touched. We will all miss him greatly.

Thank you Jim for your unstinting and dedicated service to our community.”

Mr Maddan passed away on September 13. His funeral was held on Saturday (September 30).