Jenna Bixby died Saturday night in a traffic accident on the way to her job as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher at the Minneapolis Emergency Communication Center.

The accident remains under investigation but what is known is that this was a terrible shock to her friends and colleagues who started their shift concerned she hadn’t shown up for work and that she wasn’t answering calls and text messages from staff and friends.

In a statement, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said “Jenna was a dedicated and professional emergency communications dispatcher who kept Minneapolis residents and MPD officers safe during her shift. Her life was sadly taken as she was on her way to work to keep us all safe.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey added: “My thoughts are with her family, friends, neighbors and all of her colleagues in City Hall who are mourning her loss. She was an extraordinary person.”

Jenna worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the city of Minneapolis since 2014. She was also a 9-1-1 Dispatcher at nearby Ramsey and Anoka 9-1-1 centers before joining Minneapolis. In her time at Minneapolis Jenna was an invaluable member of the dispatch team responsible for ensuring citizens and visitors 9-1-1 calls for help were quickly answered and help sent. Jenna made many friends in Minneapolis and will be remembered for her selfless attitude and willingness to help anyone. As a Certified Training Officer, she helped coach and develop newly hired dispatchers; she was also active in the department’s community outreach and public education campaigns which included volunteering her time participating in department activities raising money for Special Olympics. Jenna embodied the caring, dedication and compassion that are the hallmarks of exceptional public service and she will be greatly missed.

Visitation is scheduled  Saturday, Feb. 24, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Kozlak-Radulovich Blaine Chapel, 1385 107th Ave. NE, Blaine,. The funeral is scheduled Sunday, Feb. 25, 3 p.m. (visitation beginning at 2 p.m.), Constance Free Church, 16150 Crosstown Blvd. NW, Andover, Minnesota.

Her family is raising money to help cover the cost of her funeral.