HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a police officer killed in a car crash near Beith last week.

John Woods died following a crash involving two vehicles on the A736 Lochlibo Road just past Burnhouse Village near Beith last Tuesday, March 10. He was 42.

The crash occurred at around 1.30pm when John’s Kia car collided with an articulated lorry being driven southbound by a 54-year-old man.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, John, from Irvine, died at the scene.

He is survived by his partner Alison Weir and his three children.

In a family statement issued by Police Scotland, John was hailed as being “highly respected” by all his colleagues and will be “sadly missed” by all who knew and worked with him.

Born in Glasgow in October 1972, John and his family moved to Irvine the following year where he later attended John Galt Primary School and Irvine Royal Academy before graduating with a Master of Arts Degree in French, German, History and Politics from Glasgow University.

After gaining a teaching diploma at Jordanhill College, he taught as a supply teacher in various Ayrshire schools, before opting to switch careers and join Strathclyde Police in 1996.

Having served at several police stations throughout Ayrshire, John quickly made his way up the ranks and took up a Sergeant’s post in Barrhead.

John and his family then moved to Aikenhead Road Station in Glasgow before moving to the police HQ in Pitt Street where he was promoted to the rank of Inspector.

For the past three years, John occupied a vital role in the control room in Helen Street Station where he was largely responsible for deploying forces as required in response to emergency calls.

A huge ice-hockey enthusiast, John’s beloved Braehead Clan held a minute’s silence for him before their game against the Edinburgh Capitals last Saturday.

The Clan were 5-1 winners and coach Ryan Finnerty dedicated the victory to John.

Moving tributes from heartbroken friends and colleagues poured in on social media.

Fiona Smith on Police Scotland’s Facebook page said: “He wasn’t one of the good guys, he was one of the best.

"Full of kindness, laughter and love for the job, he will be terribly missed by us but my thoughts are with his family who gave us such a wonderful colleague.” Craig McFarlane added: “Sad news, he gave up a lot of his spare time when me and my mates were younger to try and keep us out of bother, a fair and honest man, thoughts are with his family.” The 54-year-old lorry driver was not injured in the crash.