Reaction to the death of Const. Jennifer Kovach in the line of duty poured in quickly Thursday from two communities with equally positive things to say about her – fellow Guelphites and peers in police services across Canada.
Kovach was the daughter of longtime Guelph city councillor Gloria Kovach, and well known in the Guelph community.
Mayor Karen Farbridge called Kovach’s death a huge loss for all of Guelph.
“Becoming a police officer was really a dream for her,” she told CTV.
Coun. Cam Guthrie, who represents Ward 4 along with Kovach, said his first reaction to the news was shock.
“I didn’t know what to say or do,” he said.
“I just said some prayers for the family.”
The Kovach family is expected to release a statement on Jennifer’s death in the next few days.
Guelph Police Association president Matt Jotham says Kovach was a popular and respected member of the service.
“She was a team player, she was very well liked,” he says.
“Her enthusiasm and her energy were outstanding.”
At Conestoga College, where Kovach was a star pupil in the school’s police foundations program, instructor Carolyn Harrison remembered Kovach as a student with a strong desire to be a cop and an ever-present smile.
“from day one she had a smile on her face She embodied all of those characteristics that a police officer would have and she had really good interpersonal skills she was fun she got along well with her classmates and she was really good at teamwork. She was really successful. she succeeded.”
Police officers from across the country were also quick to express their sympathy, with officers and organizations from across Ontario and as far away as British Columbia taking to Twitter to express their condolences.
“Condolences to family, friends & colleagues of Constable Jennifer Kovach of Guelph Police Service,” tweeted the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all members of the Guelph Police Service and Cst. Jennifer Kovach’s family and friends,” tweeted the Hamilton Police Service.
In a statement, Waterloo Regional Police Chief Matt Torigian said his organization is “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Const. Jennifer Kovach.”
