GWENT’S Police and Crime Commissioner has paid tribute to the force’s first female detective who died last week aged 83.

Sheila Marguerite Graham, from Rogerstone, was the first woman to be made Detective Constable at Gwent Police when she was appointed in 1967.

Ms Graham, who was described by family as “feisty” and “huge fun with a fabulous sense of humour”, was also picked by Westminster to serve on duty at Winston Churchill’s funeral in 1965.

Ian Johnston, the PCC for Gwent, said the way Ms Graham carried out her duties “opened the door for the women who followed her”.

He added: ““It was a remarkable achievement to become the first female detective in the force.

“I know that Sheila was highly respected by her fellow officers in both in CID and uniform, and our thoughts are with Sheila’s family and friends.”

Niece Jill Chapman, from Newport, told the Argus her aunt Sheila “absolutely loved her job” and treasured many memories from her time in the force.

Ms Graham joined the then-called Newport Borough Police aged 29 after having worked in varied jobs including clothing stores, a newspaper office and at a photographer’s since leaving school at 14.

Ms Chapman said: “My aunt was approached by a police sergeant who was in the Newport police force. She did the exam and was accepted for the training.

“There were just four women there at the time. But she didn’t find it difficult. The main thing about Sheila, she was such an easy person to get along with.

“She was one of the lads but they loved the fact she was a woman joining on equal terms. She was very respected by her male colleagues.”

Ms Graham’s varied job involved road traffic accidents, controlling traffic, finding lost children and “pounding the beat” – as well as more serious work including crime prevention and interviewing child victims of sexual abuse.

Ms Chapman said she was a very “hands-on auntie” who, because she never married or had children, doted on her five nieces, one nephew, seven great-nieces and five great-nephews.

“She loved having nieces and nephews. She was a great teller of stories. We’d sit for hours and it’d usually be a story we’d heard many times before. We are very proud of her.”

After taking compulsory retirement at 55, Ms Graham was awarded a police medal for long service and another commendation for exemplary service.

She cared for her mother at her home in Caerleon before moving back to Rogerstone. She sadly died on Tuesday, June 30 after spending eight weeks in hospital following a series of falls.

Her funeral will take place on Wednesday, July 8 at 10am at St John’s Church in Rogerstone. A police hat will be laid on the coffin and the PCC and his deputy will be attending.