Police gather to honour fallen officer

GUELPH, ON, March 20, 2013 /CNW/ - Thousands of front line police professionals are converging on Guelph, Ontario, to join in a procession honouring a fallen comrade and valued member of the policing family.  The procession is making its way through Guelph to the Sleeman Centre where a public funeral service is being held Thursday morning for 26-year-old Constable Jennifer Kovach of the Guelph Police Service.

"Jennifer Kovach made the ultimate sacrifice in serving and keeping her community and fellow officers safe," says Police Association of Ontario President Dave McFadden.   "We celebrate her life and her commitment to the community and profession she served."

Constable Kovach was killed in the line of duty on March 14th.   She was answering a call when her car went out of control and collided with a city bus.

"All of us, as front line officers, feel a tremendous sense of urgency to get somewhere to help someone, whether it's a member of the public or another officer, and we are trained to balance that sense of urgency and need for haste, with the need for safety," says PAO President Dave McFadden.  "When we get a call we don't know until we get there how serious the situation is, but we do know that every second can count in helping to save someone else's life or to keep the public safe.  And sometimes, tragically, officers are seriously hurt or lose their lives in the process.  We will all be thinking about the loss of a member of our police family as we march tomorrow in her honour."

The Police Association of Ontario represents 34,000 professional police personnel.  McFadden says safety is paramount to the PAO - the safety of Ontario communities and the officers who serve and protect them.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Constable Kovach, and the members of the Guelph Police Service and community.

SOURCE: Police Association of Ontario

Dave McFadden
President - PAO
905-670-9770