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Detective Sargeant Ben Turner who died in Premier Inn, Strood, honoured in football tournament hosted by Tonbridge School

Ben Turner
Ben Turner

The memory of a late Kent Police offer was celebrated with a charity football tournament on Saturday.

Family, friends and former colleagues gathered at Tonbridge School for matches, which her held in honour of Detective Sargent Ben Turner.

He died last February and was working within the reactive investigation team in Tonbridge at the time.

The tournament, named the Ben Turner Cup tournament raised money for St Christopher’s Hospice in London - a charity close to DS Turner’s heart.

Detective Sargent Simon Barnes: “Ben is still hugely missed by us all but it was a great day to remember all the fun times that we spent with him, as well as raise money for a very worthy cause.

“He was highly respected as a colleague and also as a friend to many, not just across the area that he worked in but throughout Kent Police.

“I think the number of people that supported this event in such poor weather is testament to this.”

There were four teams in attendance
There were four teams in attendance

DS Turner was a married father to three children and had served with Kent Police for 13 years.

He was off duty when he was found hanged at the Premier Inn in Strood in February 2013, aged 37.

A subsequent inquest ruled an open verdict.

The contest comprised of four teams and it is hoped the event can be held every year in honour of the Crystal Palace fan.

Danny Turner, Ben’s brother said his family had been touched that so many people had come together to celebrate his life one year on.

He said: “It’s a massive comfort to Ben’s family to know just how much he was loved and respected and also that Ben remains in so many people’s thoughts.

“It’s also fantastic that at the same time we can raise money for a charity which Ben would have supported.”

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