Hundreds of people lined the streets of Dunfermline on Thursday to pay their last respects to a rising young star of the police force.
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Inspector Chris Mutter, 34, who died on June 29 just eight months after being diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus.
He leaves behind wife Maxine and two young children, Ethan, three, and one-year-old Eden.
In a Facebook post, Maxine thanked everyone for the support offered to the family.
“It has been very tough, especially for Ethan and Eden who no longer have a daddy in their lives,” she said.
“Chris is such a lovely, caring, generous man who deserves the best send-off possible.
“He would appreciate everyone being there.”
Mr Mutter was based at Glenrothes police station for many years and was later a sergeant in Fife division’s community partnership.
He was instrumental in setting up the region’s Trauma Teddies scheme, which, in its first week in 2018, saw more than 100 hand-knitted bears handed in by members of the public to help children in distressing situations.
Police Scotland described him as a dear friend and colleague and said his death was a great loss to all who knew and worked with him.
Fife Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan, revealed Mr Mutter was promoted to the rank of inspector in November while already undergoing cancer treatment.
“Chris delivered so much for the communities of Fife and had such a bright future ahead of him within Police Scotland,” he said.
“He will not be forgotten and his friends and colleagues will pay their respects to him today in their own way.”
Former divisional commander Colin Gall said Mr Mutter had made a difference in the posts he held and added: “You were a future talent for Police Scotland and would have graced superintendent rank, of that I have no doubt.”
Due to social distancing rules only 20 people were able to attend the funeral at Dunfermline crematorium but Maxine invited anyone who wanted to pay respects to line the route taken by the funeral cortege.
The many uniformed police officers there removed their hats in tribute as Mr Mutter, led by two police outriders and a traffic car, made his final journey.
His family has set up a JustGiving page to raise funds for the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre in Kirkcaldy, which supported them throughout his illness, and for the St George’s Police Children’s Trust, which supports the children of officer parents.
Maxine said: “We have had such an amazing palliative care team working with us at home and the district nurses have been amazing.
“The whole team have become part of the family over the last 3 months and we couldn’t have asked for better care.”
