A Sikh police officer who shielded to protect his family during lockdown has died following a month-long battle with Covid in hospital, The Daily Mail reported.
Met Police officer Amar Kalirai, 30, passed away on October 21 and showed 'no fear' during his five-year service, his colleagues revealed.
He had spent his whole time at Scotland Yard on Response Team D at Kentish Town, north London, where he 'filled his colleagues with confidence when he turned up at jobs', fellow officers said. However, it is not clear if he had been vaccinated.
Kalirai is survived by his mother, father, grandmother, sister and three brothers.
According to the report, the officer returned to frontline policing in April 2021, but at the end of August he tested positive for Covid-19, the Metropolitan Police Sikh Association (MPSA) has revealed in a tribute.
Kalirai was sent to Northwick Park Hospital in north west London at the start of September but passed away peacefully in the early hours of October 21, surrounded by family, the association added.
"Whilst maybe not in height, (PC Kalirai) was a giant of a man. He was a quiet individual who showed no fear, and filled his colleagues with confidence when he turned up at jobs. Everyone wanted to work with Amar. He was ever the professional, smartly turned out, dealing with every job he went to with great integrity," the tribute said.
"And whilst he worked hard, he enjoyed his time off with his stylish dress sense and love of cars. Amar will be greatly missed by all who knew him and our thoughts and prayers and with his family."
A JustGiving page was set up to raise £500 to remember him which has already achieved the target, with more than £2,100 now donated.
The Metropolitan Police Federation also posted a tribute to PC Kalirai, and well-wishers sent dozens of comments voicing their condolences, the report added.
Damian Talbot