It is with enormous sadness that the death of PC Sharon Houfe MBE was announced. Sharon was the Communities Liaison Officer with Humberside Police, a regular attendee of the Hull and East Riding LGBT Forum and of Hull Pride, where she was always on hand for members of our community to chat about their experiences of crime, particularly hate crime towards them. But what is even more important to mention, is just how much friendship she has shown to the LGBT community within her role.
Sharon was a wonderful person, always smiling, and just the sort of person who you felt that you could chat with about whatever was bothering you, whether it was police related or not; she just had that air about her. Totally non-judgmental, very personable.
Whilst she never engaged with our network, nor discussed politics with us, as active members of the community she was always very friendly and accommodating; and along with other LGBT activists and community members locally, we felt like we had a fiend.
Thoughts go out to Sharon’s family and friends at such a sad time. Her life touched many people, and her loss will be felt by all.
RIP Sharon