In a somber remembrance of service and sacrifice, the Fort Worth Police Department has marked the anniversary of Detective Ronald G. Turner's tragic death. On December 20, 1978, while on duty, Detective Turner lost his life in a vehicle accident that still leaves questions unanswered, according to the Fort Worth Police.
***#EndofWatch***
— Fort Worth Police (@fortworthpd) December 20, 2023
December 20, 1978
Ronald G. Turner
Detective Ronald G. Turner was 35 years old and was driving an unmarked Fort Worth Police Department vehicle on duty and struck a guard rail at 700 North Freeway. The unmarked vehicle turned over and Detective Turner was… pic.twitter.com/9VDzd5QNNi
Turner, 35, was behind the wheel of an unmarked department vehicle when it collided with a guard rail on the 700 block of North Freeway. The impact caused the vehicle to overturn, ejecting Turner, who subsequently succumbed to his injuries at John Peter Smith Hospital. An air of mystery shrouds the incident, as the cause of the crash was never determined.
The department's social media tribute did not dive into the details of the investigation but instead focused on honoring Turner's dedication to the community he served. "Detective Ronald G. Turner was 35 years old and was driving an unmarked Fort Worth Police Department vehicle on duty and struck a guard rail at 700 North Freeway," the post read, paying homage to the fallen officer, per the Fort Worth Police.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of Turner's end of watch, and while his memory lives on, so does the pursuit of safety among law enforcement professionals. The exact circumstances of the detective's fatal accident remain unclear, but the legacy he left behind continues to resonate with his brothers, and sisters in blue.
