Police commissioner pays tribute to PC who died in the line of duty in Northumberland
A North East police commissioner has paid tribute to a 19-year-old officer who died in the line of duty.
PC Jess Turnbull lost her life after being struck by a car when she was at the scene of a separate collision in Northumberland on the night of Monday, June 8.
The teenage officer was only months into her career, having joined Northumbria Police last September, and was following in the footsteps of her dad Andy, who also served with the force.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth paid tribute to Jess on Tuesday and said her death was a reminder of the dangers that police officers face every day.
The Labour politician, who visits all of the force’s new recruits on their first day of training, said: “We have lots of young, very enthusiastic officers – young people like Jess who have chosen a job that is around serving the public.
“I think her loss is not just a reminder and a recognition of the absolute pain that her family and friends are going through, but also a reminder that every single police officer and other emergency services put on their uniform and respond to calls for help. They don’t know what they are going into, they don’t know if they will come back.”
Mrs Dungworth was speaking at a police and crime panel meeting in Gateshead, where a minute’s silence was held in Jess’ memory.
The PC was responding to a collision on the A189 Spine Road in Cramlington when she was struck by a car unconnected to the original incident.