John & Elizabeth Turner
John L. Turner, Jr. was graduated from Amityville Memorial High School in 1959. He attended the SUNY College of Ceramics at Alfred University earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ceramic Engineering in 1964. He served two years in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps followed by a 50-year career in manufacturing refractories for use in the metals industry. He retired as President of Allied Mineral Products in Columbus, Ohio.
Elizabeth A. Turner was graduated from Lewiston High School in Maine in 1963. She earned a degree in X-Ray Technology from Northeastern University and Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston. Liz worked at Boston Children’s Hospital and in Ohio at urgent care facilities. John and Liz have two children and four grandchildren.
Brothers, John and Peter, were lifelong best friends who shared many common interests and views on life and family. John and Liz are pleased to initiate this scholarship to honor the memory of Peter G. Turner, his devotion to family, and dedication to law enforcement.
Impact
Lt. Peter G. Turner Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Criminal Justice
Peter George Turner was born July 6, 1943 in Middletown, Connecticut. He was the second of four children of John and Marion (Eaton) Turner and a descendent of several generations of New Englanders, many of whom were educators, merchants, and sea captains. The family moved to Long Island when Peter was eight years old which resulted in him living most of the rest of his life in Suffolk County. He was graduated from Amityville Memorial High School in 1961 and enlisted in the U. S. Coast Guard. Pete’s time there was short as he was discharged due to color blindness, a common condition that today would not have disqualified him. For the next eight years he worked a few assorted jobs and, most importantly, met his partner in life C. Judith Huffman. Pete and Judy married in 1963, a union that was to last more than 56 years. Over the next seven years they had three children; Robert (Bob), Elizabeth (Beth), and Rebecca (Becky) who subsequently produced four grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren that is still growing.
During 1967 Pete and Judy assessed their future as they now had a growing family and therefore the need to find a career to pursue. The Suffolk County Police Department had been expanding by taking over for many smaller village and township police departments in the county. While growing up, Pete had known and respected several officers in the Village of Amityville Police Department, which would maintain its independence for only a few more years. They were role models as were many in his family. Parents, aunts, and uncles were all self-starters with strong work ethics and values. Pete applied, was accepted, and joined the Suffolk County Police Department on January 8, 1968.
Pete Turner’s training was completed on March 20, 1968 and he was posted to the 3rd Precinct and assigned Shield #1548. Much of his early years on the force were spent on foot patrol in villages such as Islip and other locations within the precinct. A family member once asked him: “How do you catch crooks and traffic scofflaws on foot patrol?” His reply: “You have to be fast.” Pete’s humor and common sense made him a natural for being a policeman. He engaged easily with people and made friends quickly with others in the department, and with many in the local population. He would often help steer some troubled young people in a better direction. Over time, his ability to handle tense situations and defuse confrontations grew considerably and he would be considered often for promotion.
Peter was transferred to Complaint Dispatch in July 1975. Soon after he was promoted to Sergeant, assigned Shield # 548, and returned to 3rd Precinct on September 22. He was transferred to 4th squad in March 1979 and subsequently promoted to Detective/Sergeant on June 11th and assigned shield #432. He was promoted to Lieutenant on April 12, 1982 and assigned to 5th Precinct Patrol. Four years later on April 21, 1986 Pete was transferred to Emergency Services and designated Commanding Officer. The next year he was assigned to be the Executive Officer of Special Patrol Bureau. In February 1989 he returned to Patrol and was assigned to the 2nd Precinct where he spent the remainder of his career until his retirement on January 11, 1999.
Over the course of his career Pete received a total of 12 commendations; 7 were Department Recognitions and 5 were Command Recognitions. He was twice on the list to be promoted to Captain and “died” twice at #1 when each time hiring and promotion freezes took place. Pete had few regrets as he felt he had a most rewarding career and was able to provide a good life for his family.
In the early ‘70’s Pete, Judy and family moved from their first home in Bohemia to a house in Islip where they would reside for more than 40 years. Bob, Beth, and Becky would graduate from Islip High School and go on to college. Pete and Judy would eventually spend winters in Arizona as Beth wound up teaching in suburban Phoenix school systems for more than 30 years. They would often visit Bob and his family in Florida as Bob has spent most of his career in the Tampa area as an engineer/manager for Baxter International. Becky has stayed close to home and enjoyed a long career as a librarian at Suffolk Community College.
For a period, they owned sail and motor boats as the children were growing up following a tradition established by his father, John. However, Pete’s lifelong interest was in cars and motorcycles. In retirement he owned two Harley Davidsons, one on Long Island and one in Arizona. He would take long motorcycle trips with friends, particularly up and down the east coast, and frequently throughout Suffolk County. The number of different automobiles that Pete owned during his life are impossible to count, but his project kit-car, an MGTD, is the one he has owned the longest.
Peter enjoyed 21 years of active retirement before passing away on January 27, 2020 surrounded by family, and fondly remembered by all who knew him. He has left a legacy of love of family and respect for people from all backgrounds. The establishment of a scholarship in Pete’s memory by his family is a most fitting way to honor him and his commitment to living a good life.