The RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has paid tribute to former chief constable Sir Graham Shillington (90) who died on Tuesday.
Sir Ronnie said he was "deeply saddened" by Sir Graham's death, adding the former chief constable had given "outstanding service and valuable leadership to the Royal Ulster Constabulary" during four decades of service.
"Sir Graham was deputy chief constable and chief constable at a time when the police service was undergoing substantial reorganisation as a consequence of the Hunt Report," he said.
"He led the organisation with vision and commitment during a period of serious civil unrest and was highly regarded by those who served with him and under him. I extend the heartfelt sympathy of everyone in the RUC to his family circle."
Sir Graham was born in Portadown, Co Armagh, in 1911. He held the position of RUC chief constable from 1970 to 1973, a period marked by serious violence following the reimposition of direct rule from London and the introduction of internment.
Educated at Sedbergh School, Yorkshire, and Clare College, Cambridge, Sir Graham was awarded an MBE in 1951/52, an OBE in 1959, a CBE in 1970 and a knighthood in 1972.
He joined the RUC as a cadet officer in February 1933 and quickly rose through the ranks. He was appointed officer in charge of Derry City in 1944. In 1961 he was made city commissioner of Belfast. He then advanced to deputy chief constable, a post he held for almost two years before being appointed chief constable in 1970.
A keen sportsman, Sir Graham was chairman of the RUC Athletic Association from 1954 to 1961. He died in a nursing home in Co Armagh.