The parents of Northumbria PC Jess Turnbull, who died in the line of duty, have spoken of their pride and their devastation in an emotional tribute to their ‘remarkable’ and ‘beautiful’ daughter.
Janice and Andy Turnbull described 19-year-old Jess as ‘our greatest pride and our greatest joy’.
They shared that one of Jess’s ‘proudest achievements’ was following in her father’s footsteps by becoming a Northumbria Police officer.
“Seeing her achieve that ambition filled us both with immense pride,” they said.
<Picture of Jess courtesy of Northumbria Police>
Jess had responded to a collision in Cramlington at around 11.10pm on Monday June 8, and while at the scene was struck by a car unconnected to the original incident.
She was taken to hospital, where on Wednesday, surrounded by her loved ones, she sadly died.
In a tribute released by the Force, her mum and dad said: “As a family, we are utterly devastated by the loss of our beautiful daughter, Jess, who tragically died following a road traffic collision at just 19 years old.
“Jess was our only child, and from the moment she came into our lives, she brought happiness, laughter, and love into every day. The hole she leaves in our lives is impossible to put into words.
Special
“Jess and her mum, Janice, shared a bond that was truly special. They were not only mother and daughter but best friends. They loved spending time together, whether that was shopping, chatting for hours or simply enjoying each other’s company. They shared countless memories that Janice will treasure forever.
“From a young age, Jess was full of energy, determination, and kindness. She loved sport and spent much of her childhood playing football and competing as a swimmer.
“Her passion for helping others was evident even then and she later volunteered her time coaching young children in football, encouraging them to believe in themselves and enjoy the game she loved so much.
“Jess recently found happiness with her boyfriend, Dan. They had been together for a year and were inseparable. Whether they were out making memories or simply spending time together, they did everything side by side. Jess adored Dan, and he brought so much joy to her life.
Proud
“One of Jess’s proudest achievements was becoming a police officer. She absolutely loved serving her community and was incredibly proud to wear the uniform. Following in the footsteps of her dad, Andy, was something she had always dreamed of doing, and seeing her achieve that ambition filled us both with immense pride.
“Policing was not just a job to Jess, it was a calling. She cared deeply about helping people and making a difference, and she approached every day with enthusiasm, compassion and professionalism.
“Jess touched the lives of so many people during her short life. She was caring, funny, determined, and fiercely loyal to those she loved. She had an infectious smile and a way of making everyone feel valued and welcome.
“While our hearts are broken, we are incredibly proud of the remarkable young woman Jess became. We will miss her every single day, but we will carry her love, her spirit, and our memories of her with us forever.
“We would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming kindness, support, and condolences we have received during this unimaginably difficult time. Knowing how much Jess was loved and respected has brought us comfort.
“Jess was, and always will be, our greatest pride and our greatest joy.”