Juno Beach Police Officer Remembered By Her Boyfriend

She was off duty from her job as a Juno Beach Police Officer. Early Sunday Morning Tiffany Russell was killed in a car accident.

"Once you meet her you never forget her," says Tiffany Russell's boyfriend, Chad Troutman. Russell was a dedicated mother, police officer, and best friend. Troutman says, "What can I say? She was the best person in the world. My ray of sunshine. She has molded me into who I am today."

Troutman remembers his girlfriend of more than 5 years, "She had the greatest smile in the world." A smile that ended too soon. Saturday night, Russell was out for a girl's night with friend Lynda Kruse. Troutman says, "She called me about 2:20 or 2:30 in the morning."

They were on their way home, but never made it, "I bought Haley and Tiffany a cowboy hat and she took the hat out with her that night and I saw the hat and knew something was wrong."

Chad found the car and the two woman down an embankment, "She was an awesome person she is going to be missed very much," says Troutman.

Missed not only by Chad and both families, but by their two year-old old daughter, Haley, "This is her jewel!"

Chad says she is the exact replica of her mother, "She's only two. She might not remember her mom, but we won't let her forget her."

Chad and Tiffany had plans to marry. They already had a place in Port St. Lucie, "She picked out her three-stone diamond ring. It was going to happen eventually."

For Chad the past several days have been a nightmare, but he holds on to the pictures, their daughter, and the memories of his best friend, "She walked into the room and all eyes were on her."

A memorial service will be held Thursday morning at 10:30 at the Oceanview Methodist Church in Juno Beach.

The family asks only those that knew her to attend. Tiffany will be laid to rest in Maryland where she is from.

Lynda Kruse's funeral is planned for Saturday in Stuart.