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The Tatura and district community lost a true friend and one of nature’s gentleman with the passing of Leading Senior Constable Frank Hogan on Tuesday.

The 56-year-old, who lost his long battle with cancer, will be remembered as old style police officer with a heart of gold.

Ldg Sen Const Hogan was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2009 after a large tumour was found at the base of his tongue.

After chemotherapy and radiation treatment, by 2010 the tumour had gone.

He returned to full duties at Tatura Police Station in August 2010, after resuming light duties at Shepparton Police Station in March.

Ldg Sen Const Hogan told The Guardian at the time, he was happy to be back at work.

‘‘After my health scare, people asked me if I would return to work,’’ he said.

‘‘I set myself a challenge, because I enjoy going to work.

‘‘As to what the future holds, only time will tell. The bottom line is, I really enjoy the job.’’

A police officer for more than 35 years, Ldg Sen Const Hogan spent 17 of those years stationed at Tatura.

In December last year doctors found secondary cancer spots in his lungs, and he died on Tuesday.

Ldg Sen Const Hogan received a number of local awards last year including a Workmanship Award from the Rotary Club of Tatura at which he spoke of life as ‘‘a country coppa’’.

‘‘As in all country communities there are always a few ratbags, but that’s all part of the fun,’’ he said.

He was also honoured by Toolamba community.

Tatura police Sergeant Darryl Phillips said ‘‘Frank will certainly be missed by police officers in Tatura and throughout the Goulburn Valley’’.

‘‘He was an icon. Frank was a well respected, fair, honest police officer in the community, and always put others before himself,’’ Sgt Phillips said.

‘‘They don’t make them (police officers) like him any more.’’

Greater Shepparton City Council Councillor and Tatura stalwart Kevin Ryan said Ldg Sen Const Hogan was a great policeman, a great character and ‘‘someone you wanted in town’’.

‘‘He brought discipline to the young people, they all knew when Frankie Hogan spoke, everyone listened,’’ Cr Ryan said.

‘‘He did it in such a jovial way you couldn’t help but love the man, but you didn’t muck around with him, because you got the pointy end of his boot if you did the wrong thing.

‘‘No doubt, he was what the police force is all about.’’

Mr Ryan said the loss of Ldg Sen Const Hogan would be felt throughout the community.

‘‘He would show up at saleyards in Shepparton and in the days of the Tatura saleyards, and it would be uncommon not to have Frankie Hogan walking around giving his view on the pens of cattle — he had a very good eye for cattle,’’ Cr Ryan said.

‘‘He knew exactly what he was talking about, he loved his saleyards and was always around them somewhere — he just loved the land.’’

Ldg Sen Const Hogan grew up at Toolamba on a farm and joined the police force as a 19-year-old in 1976.

He got his training on the streets of Broadmeadows before returning to the Goulburn Valley in 1979, where he remained ever since.

Ldg Sen Const Hogan is survived by his siblings, Carmel, Jerry, Maree and Kathy (Julia died of cancer in 2010), his partner Irene, his daughters Angela, Fiona and Mandy and grandsons Jai, Bailey, Finn, Jesse and Jet.

His funeral was at St Brendan’s Catholic Church, Shepparton on Friday, with full police honours.

He was interred at the Pine Lodge Lawn Cemetery.