Thousands gather to pay tribute to Guelph officer killed in crash

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.

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.

 

 

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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