GUELPH, Ont. – It was not a job — being a police officer was her passion.
That is how Const. Jennifer Kovach’s dedication to her career was described at the young woman’s funeral Thursday.
Today is a difficult day for the Kovach family@cityofguelph @gpsmedia & the policing community.Thoughts & prayers with our great city.
— Bryan M. Larkin (@Chief_BLarkin) March 21, 2013
Thousands of mourners, including police officers from across Canada, gathered to pay tribute to the 26-year-old officer who was killed last week when her cruiser crossed the centre line and collided with a bus.
We salute you Jennifer. #RIPJenniferKovach You will be remembered.
— wendy drummond (@drummond17) March 21, 2013
Many YRP officers have traveled to #Guelph today to honour our sister in policing, Cst. Jennifer Kovach of @gpsmedia #HeroesinLife
— York Regional Police (@YRP) March 21, 2013
Our thoughts & prayers are with the family, friends & colleagues of Cst. Jennifer Kovach as she is remembered today. #HeroesInLife
— HaltonPolice (@HaltonPolice) March 21, 2013
Before the service, thousands of emergency personnel from across North America marched in the funeral procession, through the streets of Guelph.
Inside the arena, Kovach’s body lay in a casket draped in a Canadian flag with her police hat on top.
Her mother, longtime Guelph councillor Gloria Kovach, spoke about her daughter.
“Jen was such an incredible human being who owing to her deep caring and compassion and love of life touched so many,” she said.
She spoke about the last time she spoke to her daughter.
“That tragic night, Jen called ecstatic that she was going to be an aunty. She said she had to run and said ‘I love you mom, see ya.’”
After speaking, her mother bent down and kissed the flag-draped casket.
Almost every speaker, including Lt.Gov David Onley spoke about how the young officer was living out her childhood dream of being a police officer.
“She loved police work,” Onley said.
“She knew its risks and rewards and she accepted the sacrifices that are demanded of those who have dedicated their lives to service.”
“She was living her passion and fulfilling her childhood dream that she worked diligently to perfect her craft,” said Guelph Police Chief Bryan Larkin.
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When she crossed the centre line and hit the schoolbus was anyone on the bus hurt? She wanted to go back to school and get a decent education so she could get a good job instead of living off the government like her relatives always have. RIP
My condolences, thought and prayers to the family, friends and fellow Officers.
My sincere condolences to the family of their daughter, Jennifer Kovach who is a bright Beacon of Light to Us ALL at this mornful time.
To the Guelph Police and staff who worked with Jennifer, please know that your communities are grateful.
I have worked along side the GPA for many years and they are a wonderful and dedicated team.
You are in my thoughts and prayers,
Linda Bateson
My sincere condolences to the family of his young officer, Jennifer Kovach who is a bright Beacon to Us ALL at this time.
To the wonderful Guelph Police force and all those officers who put their lives in danger each day, your Communities Are Grateful.
It is unfortunate that it takes a time like this to show appreciation for our brave HERO’s, yet it seems somehow necessary for a reminder of some kind, that we all really do need. Our lives are busy and our minds are full of daily thoughts. Let us focus today on this fallen soldier and remember to always be careful and cautious; as this can happen to anyone at any time.
May God Bless,
Linda Bateson
Your GPA’s children’s Christmas party Representative for 13 years –
and I care about the families of your officers as well as the officers and staff themselves. Marvelous Humanitarians!