PSNI flags were flown at half-mast at police stations on Sunday to mark the tragic death of fellow officer Philippa Reynolds.
The “bubbly” and “beautiful” constable was killed while travelling on a routine patrol in the back of a police car on the Limavady Road in Londonderry in the early hours of Saturday.
At 3.30am the unmarked Vauxhall Vectra was struck at speed by a stolen 4x4, a silver Toyota Land Cruiser, at the junction of the Limavady Road and Glendermott Road. It is believed the jeep may have skipped a red light moments before. Two other police officers who were in the vehicle were also injured, though not severely.
Police investigating the crash last night charged two men in relation to the incident.
A 25-year-old man will appear in Londonderry Magistrates Court this morning facing 10 charges, including death by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking causing death or grievous bodily injury, burglary and driving when unfit.
A 23-year-old man will also appear, facing charges of aggravated vehicle taking causing death or grievous bodily injury, burglary, criminal damage and assisting offenders.
Twenty-seven-year-old Philippa had only joined the PSNI in February 2011, joining the Foyle Response Team in December of that year.
A former pupil of Antrim Grammar School, Philippa had been a teacher before becoming a police officer, having obtained her PGCE from Liverpool Hope University in 2008. She lived in Coleraine.
An avid hockey fan, Philippa had been playing for 15 years, both for Antrim Grammar School and for Owls Ladies Hockey Club, of which she was an active member for three years.
Described affectionately on the club website as “our very own social butterfly”, Philippa organised the club’s social activities as social secretary and member of the formal committee.
Philippa’s parents, who live in Crumlin, are believed to have arrived in Northern Ireland yesterday from the USA where they had been on holiday. She also had two sisters.
Stephen Cargin, the District Commander at Strand Road station in Londonderry, made an appeal for information on Saturday: “I would like to appeal to anyone who has information and may have seen the silver land cruiser travelling between the Gobnascale and Limavady Road areas between 3am and 3.30am this morning, or if they saw the two people who fled the scene and ran off towards the Ebrington area.
“Anyone with any information, no matter how small, please call us. These were officers who were out serving their community and we want the community to help us and give us the vital information we need.”
Politicians said the death was a reminder of the dangers faced by members of the PSNI, and showed the “fatal consequences of car crime”.
The Mayor of Derry City Council, Sinn Fein Councillor Kevin Campbell, said those involved with the stolen car were a “liability to their community”.
Councillor Campbell added: “This is such a tragic and sad occurrence. This young 27-year-old woman was out doing her job and protecting this city when she was killed in the line of duty. On behalf of everyone in the city, I would like to offer my sincere sympathies and condolences to her family and friends.”
He asked anyone with information to call police on 0845 600 8000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.