City officials are mourning the loss of one of their own, as a young police officer died in a crash here on March 14.
Dead is Constable Jennifer Kovach. She was just 26 years old.
“This is a sad and tragic day for the police service and the City of Guelph,” said a press release from Guelph Police Service.
“Constable Kovach exemplified the values of our service and was committed to making a difference. Jennifer was fulfilling her dream as a police officer and we will forever remember her zest for life, her strong sense of adventure and her gregarious smile that brightened all our lives.”
The press release states that shortly after 12:30am on March 14, Kovach was en route to assist at a call in a marked cruiser travelling north on Imperial Road South. Police later revealed she was on her way to assist another officer who was making an arrest in connection with a drug bust.
Police say Kovach’s cruiser crossed the centre line of the road and struck a Guelph Transit bus near the entrance to the West End Recreational Centre.
Guelph police, Guelph Wellington EMS and the Guelph Fire Department attended the scene to provide emergency care and assistance for Kovach and the driver of the Guelph Transit bus.
Kovach, who was alone in her cruiser, suffered serious injuries. She was extracted by Guelph firefighters and transported to Guelph General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The driver of the Guelph Transit bus was treated for minimal injuries and released. There were no passengers on the city bus at the time of the collision.
Kovach’s mother, Gloria, said in a press release, “Jennifer was a wonderful daughter, sister, granddaughter, auntie and friend. She is deeply loved and will be greatly missed.”
In a separate statement, Kovach’s father and step mother said, “Jennifer lived her life to the fullest and it ended far too soon while doing the work that she loved.”
A public funeral was held for Kovach in Guelph on March 21.
