PC who died in line of duty parents' 'greatest joy'

The parents of a teenage police officer who died from injuries suffered as she responded to a crash have described her as "our greatest pride and our greatest joy".

Jess Turnbull, 19, had been sent to the scene of a collision on the A189 Spine Road in Cramlington, Northumberland, at 23:10 BST on 8 June.

She was hurt when a Mercedes unconnected to that incident struck a marked police car and she died in hospital two days later.

A 73-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on bail.

In a statement released by Northumbria Police, Janice and Andy Turnbull said they were "utterly devastated" by the death of their "remarkable" daughter who had been following in her father's footsteps by joining the force in September.

"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 [her death] leaves in our lives is impossible to put into words.

"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. The 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."

Turnbull had been together with her boyfriend, Dan, for a year with the pair described as "inseparable".

Her parents said becoming a police officer had been "one of Jess's proudest achievements" as 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," their statement added.

"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."

They added they wished to thank people for the "overwhelming kindness, support and condolences" they had been shown "during this unimaginably difficult time".

"Knowing how much Jess was loved and respected has brought us comfort," they continued.

Northumbria's Chief Constable, Vanessa Jardine, last week described Turnbull as a "dedicated and committed" officer who "had so much still to look forward to in her career and her life" having "always sought to do her best to keep her communities safe".

Northumbria Police Federation - a staff association representing the force's officers - said she "had already made a lasting impression on colleagues through her dedication, professionalism, and readiness to help people".

Officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and anyone with information is asked to contact the force.

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