A superb athlete who rewrote the record books
Colleagues across all ranks have rallied behind the family of Superintendent Andy Naylor, who tragically died on August 11 competing in an ironman event in New York.
Commissioner Tsang Wai-hung expressed his deepest condolences to Andy's wife Lynn and three daughters on behalf of the Force and all officers, Auxiliaries and civilian staff.
"Andy's death was a great shock to us all. He was a fantastic athlete and a dedicated and highly professional Police Officer who was well liked and respected. His passing is a great loss," said Mr Tsang.
"The Police Force will do all it can to help Andy's family, show our care and concern and ensure that Andy's memory lives on within the Force."
Besides offering his condolences to the family, Mr Tsang also ensured the Hong Kong Police liaison officer in New York was immediately dispatched to assist the family. The Commissioner also met with the United States Consulate General in Hong Kong on August 13 and requested all necessary assistance be rendered to Andy's family including the repatriation of the body.
The Force Sports Council Chairman, Assistant Commissioner Wong Chi-hung, said that few, if any, Force athletes could match Superintendent Naylor's sporting achievements.
"From the time he joined the Force in 1992, until his tragic death, Andy dominated the running scene like no other. He was a superbly fit athlete," said ACP Wong.
"The Dowman, Henry Shield, Cross Country, Force Athletic Championships - all their honour boards are littered with Andy's name and records.
"Just a few months ago, at the Police Athletics Championships, Andy set new records in the Men's Master's 1,500m and 5,000m and walked away with the Carpe Diem Bowls as best Master athlete of the day."
In many ways Andy lived life through the soles of his feet. Running was his passion and the qualities he needed to keep him out in front were the same that defined him as a person and a Police Officer.
For most of us running is a way to stay fit, keep the weight under control, or perhaps clear the mind after a hard day at work. For Andy it was always about winning and if it was just him out in front, as it frequently was, then it was about beating his previous best.
This pursuit of excellence requires tremendous mental strength and determination and in many ways this was also the measure of the man that Andy became. On countless occasions he would have pushed through pain and exhaustion to realise his goals and potential - pressures that many of us would or could not endure.
But it was after the race that Andy's true colours would shine through. His trademark grin would light up the crowd and he would be full of humour, banter, support and advice for fellow runners. This was the human side of the running machine - and this was what made him so popular.
After Andy arrived at the Police Training School in 1992 as a fresh-faced Probationary Inspector, it did not take him long to make his mark ... he rewrote the then PTS record books with his efforts in the 1,500m, 2.4km fitness test and 5,000m.
Later in 1994, he won his first Dowman Road Race (then, a 12km course) in a time of 41:51. Andy went on to win many Dowmans after that, setting records in different age groups in 2000, 2002, 2009 and 2010. He set the current race record of 41:02 in 2009 - almost a minute faster than his first attempt but, amazingly, over an extended 12.5km course!
While at the Police Tactical Unit, he set a Force record of 7:21 for the 2.4km fitness test - a record that still stands today.
Andy dominated the Police cross-country championships, with records set in the 2007 Men's Open (22:55), the 2008 Men's Senior (22:36), and 2009 Men's Masters (23:45). He also held the record for 2000 Men's Open (19:42) set on a shorter course.
The Henry Shield was another of Andy's favourite runs. He had the distinct honour of holding every record for the "fastest leg" by an individual officer: 2004 Men's Open (10:59); 2008 Men's Senior (11:10); and 2010 Men's Master (11:39).
Andy was a mainstay of the Force's external competitions, winning team and individual honours in the distance race in the 2004, 2008 and 2010 Hong Kong-Macau-Guangdong Police Sports Exchange and picking up silver medals in cross country and indoor rowing at the 2005 World Police and Fire Games.
Andy was awarded Force Colours for Athletics in 2005 and in recent years had taken up an administrative role in the Police Athletics Club (PAC) as Event Co-ordinator (External) and Treasurer.
The PAC's Vice Chairman, Superintendent Andy Ng Ming-fung, said Andy had told him he wanted to do more to help mentor a new crop of runners in the Force.
"He did a lot to nurture sport and sporting talent in the Force. He organised events and training on lunch breaks and weekends. He was a great athlete, a good friend and his death is a big loss, for sure," said Mr Ng.
In highly competitive events outside the Force, Andy cemented his formidable reputation with titles in the Men's Senior category at the 2005 Standard Chartered Marathon; Men's Masters in the 2008 and 2009 Mizuno half marathons; and, Men's Master (1) 10km leg of the 2011 Standard Chartered Marathon.
A superb athlete, a dedicated policeman and, most of all, a great friend, Andy will be sadly missed by the many people across all ranks of the Force who had the pleasure of his company on the running track ... and the all too familiar feeling of being left in his wake.
Andy received the Carpe Diem Trophy for the best
Master Athlete from Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Tang Kam-moon at
the Force Athletics Championships in April 2012
Andy stormed home in record time of 41 minutes and 51
seconds in the 1994 Dowman Road Race 
Andy led Force runners at the start of the 2009 Dowman
Road Races
Andy with other Force
runners in the 1993 Henry Shield Race
Andy in the 2007 Cross
Country Race