A “completely fearless” police officer has died at the age of 40 after contracting coronavirus.

PC Abbasuddin Ahmed, a married father-of-two, was a serving officer on the Trafford district for Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

He died in hospital on Thursday after testing positive for the virus in December, the force said.

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The officer, known as Abbas or Abs, joined GMP in March 2017 but had been away from the frontline during the pandemic, instead working from home “to look after his health”.

Chief Inspector Neil Cook said PC Ahmed’s wife Rebecca and two young children are “understandably devastated”.

He added: “To see the shock and sadness of colleagues is an awful but pertinent reminder of the dangers of this terrible virus, and we remain committed to doing all that we can to protect the public and limit the number of people affected by such dreadful consequences.”

Mr Cook said the officer had been “looking forward to returning and getting back onto the streets to continue serving the community when it was safe to do so”.

A tribute shared by GMP said PC Ahmed “lived up to his name meaning ‘lion’ – brave, loyal, a fighter, protective, and completely fearless”.

The officer was described by colleagues on the Stretford Response Team as “the greatest brother in and out of work” and “such a lovely man who was never seen without a smile on his face”.

Inspector Abid Sardar, co-chair of the GMP Muslim Police Association, added: “I would describe him as a committed police officer, true friend and family man.

“Abbas will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him.”

A fundraising page has been set up by colleagues in the officer’s memory and to support his family.

On Friday, it was announced a serving Metropolitan Police officer had died after contracting coronavirus.

PC Michael Warren, 37, was classed as “vulnerable” and had been shielding at home, working remotely to help his team, the force said.

He died on Tuesday morning after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, leaving his partner Vicky and his daughter Eden, aged eight, and son Joseph, five.

PC Warren is believed to be the first serving Met officer to have died after being diagnosed with the virus since the start of the pandemic.

Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said earlier this week that three other colleagues, including a police community support officer, have also died.

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