The PSNI has paid tribute to a young colleague who died on duty eight years ago today.
Constable Philippa Reynolds was killed in Co Derry when a patrol car she was a passenger in was hit by a stolen 4X4 jeep being driven by a drink and drug driver at 80MPH.
The 27-year-old died instantly.
Philippa’s PSNI colleagues said today: “She brought hope, dedication and joy to those she worked with and to this community she served. We were blessed to have had her in our lives. We still miss her.”
Tributes to the former teacher came from across Northern Ireland and the UK, led by the former PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott and Chief Superintendent Stephen Cargin.
“Philippa was a beautiful, friendly, bubbly officer, one of the most enthusiastic officers in the prime of her life; someone who wanted to be a police officer, who had been a teacher and wanted to change profession.
"She was the embodiment of what policing aspires too. She wanted to make Londonderry/Derry a finer and safer place, working towards building peace in that city."
During her funeral in Newtownabbey, her sister Debra said Philippa had “touched many lives during her short time on earth”.
She added she would never understand why God chose to take her from her family and friends at such a young age, but she would live on in their memory.
Politicians who joined the Reynolds family and friends for the funeral included the then First and Deputy First Ministers, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, and Justice Minister, David Ford.
Two men were later jailed over the death of the popular officer who was described on social media posts in Derry where she was stationed, as a “bright light in our often divided city”.
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