Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Vicky, I never had the opportunity to meet you before I retired and I just wanted to say that I am very proud of your actions along with Mike's on that terrible day in May. I would like to leave you this Christmas season a tribute to you and Mike which appeared in the Washington Post.

Merry Christmas to you and to your family.



Medals of Valor for Slain Sully Officers
Police Divulge New Details of May Shootout

By Tom Jackman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 20, 2006; B01



When the shooting started outside the Sully police station May 8, Fairfax County Detective Vicky O. Armel could have ducked behind her car or run back inside. Instead, she tried to draw fire away from a fellow officer and decided to shoot it out with a deranged teenager carrying far more firepower.

The gunman, wielding an AK-47-type rifle, fired 20 shots at officer Michael E. Garbarino, hitting him five times. But Garbarino stayed on his police radio, instructing people how to respond and avoid danger, praying aloud and then staggering to a helicopter, vowing, "I'm not going to die here."

Armel and Garbarino both died at the hands of 18-year-old Michael W. Kennedy, who was then killed by two other officers. Fairfax County police yesterday revealed powerful new details of the historic shooting to coincide with the announcement of the county Chamber of Commerce's annual valor awards.

"My men and women on May 8 just responded with incredible courage," Fairfax Chief David M. Rohrer said. Rohrer listened to Garbarino's radio transmissions that afternoon, advising where a rescue helicopter could safely land and warning officers from a nearby federal agency to stay away.

"It's what you fear, as a chief," Rohrer said. "We heard this ongoing; we heard the gunfire in the background."

In an 18-page narrative, police filled in many of the missing pieces from their most tragic day, including how two officers from other stations came up with an impromptu plan to ambush Kennedy and end the siege at Sully.

Police said yesterday that Kennedy had tried and failed to steal two vehicles from his neighborhood in Centreville before stealing a white van on his third attempt. He wore camouflage-style clothes, kneepads, a ski mask and a vest loaded with ammunition. Police said he carried an AK-47 type rifle, a .30-06 rifle, four .22-caliber handguns and one .38-caliber handgun.

Kennedy drove the van into the back parking lot of the Sully station at 3:52 p.m. Garbarino, 53, and Armel, 40, had both walked into the lot about the same time and then walked to their cars in separate areas of the lot. Garbarino's shift had just ended, and police think he was sitting in his unmarked cruiser to log off his computer before getting into his car to begin his vacation.

Armel went to her unmarked car to investigate Kennedy's carjacking. She put on her bulletproof vest and was outside her car when Kennedy, on foot and just a few yards from Garbarino, began firing into Garbarino's car.

Garbarino called in the shooting and radioed instructions for a rescue helicopter to land in the station's front lot. Rohrer said Garbarino was probably in and out of consciousness.

"Garbarino prayed and asked God's forgiveness for his sins," the police narrative continues, "all the while continuing to guide his fellow officers."

Kennedy apparently had not spotted Armel. But she somehow attracted his attention to draw him away from Garbarino. She fired seven shots from her 9 mm handgun, police said, and Kennedy then directed his attack toward her.

"She could have left," Rohrer said. "She engaged Mr. Kennedy with a desire to save lives."

Armel was struck in the chest with a .30-06 round that pierced her vest, but she still made it inside her car. She fired four more times at Kennedy, even as she was hit twice more in the legs with AK-47 rounds.

Officer Richard A. Lehr was sitting in another corner of the parking lot, in his sport-utility vehicle, waiting for his shift to begin. He had no police radio and didn't know anyone else had been wounded. He climbed into the back of the vehicle, police said, put on his bulletproof vest, picked up his revolver and started shooting at Kennedy.

Lehr believed he had struck Kennedy in the upper body, knocking him down, police said. But Lehr soon ran out of ammunition. He darted into the station, barely evading Kennedy's gunfire, reloaded and, instead of waiting for the gunfight to end, went back outside.

Officers Mark Dale, a K-9 officer, and Jeffrey Andrea of the Mount Vernon station heard Garbarino on the radio and went to help. Meeting up along Stonecroft Boulevard, the two quickly devised a plan to enter the woods next to the parking lot. Dale had an M-16 rifle and a handgun; Andrea had a handgun.

The two officers began firing through a chain-link fence, woven with plastic slats, once they spotted Kennedy. Kennedy went down, and both officers jumped over the fence -- even though they had no idea whether Kennedy was dead or acting alone. The two are credited with killing Kennedy. Meanwhile, officer William F. Horn and Lt. Boyd F. Thompson led the effort to help pull Garbarino to safety.

Kennedy had recently fled from a mental health facility in Maryland, and was free on bond after a carjacking near the facility. His parents are being investigated by federal authorities for possibly allowing him illegal access to their cache of guns. Their attorney, Richard F. MacDowell, declined to comment last night.

Armel and Garbarino were the first Fairfax officers slain in the department's 66-year history. They and Lehr will receive the first gold medals for valor since 1997. Two others -- a Fairfax police officer in 1994 and a Fairfax firefighter in 1997 -- have received the gold medal since the chamber began recognizing public service bravery in 1978.

For months, Fairfax police declined to discuss the shootings. But they released the narrative yesterday to coincide with the chamber's announcement of the awards, police spokeswoman Mary Ann Jennings said. The awards will be given at a luncheon March 1.

MPO Perry Knicely
Fairfax County PD - Retired

December 21, 2006

I would like to tell the families of the two fallen officers from the incident of May 8, 2006, that they are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

Jean Gardner
Citizen of Prince William County

December 20, 2006

Vicky, as we approach Christmas it is important to know that we have not forgotten you or Gabby and what you both did for us that afternoon, as a community and as members of the Law Enforcement Community. I was very pleased to hear you and Gabby will receive honors within the next few months for your sacrifice. Please stand watch over us as we continue to work the roads and know that we here in Northern Virgnia, from all Departments, still think of you both.

State Police Trooper
Virginia State Police

December 20, 2006

Vicki, I still think about you and Gabby often. I met with Tyler,Thomas and Mason on Sunday and gave them their Christmas gifts. The smiles on their faces brought a great deal of happiness to me. Christmas is a time for the childern, to make them happy and smile is very important. I just wanted to let you know that we all miss you and think about you often.

Bill Horn, Master Patrol Officer
Fairfax County PD, Motors

December 20, 2006

Vicky, today the recipients of the valor awards were announced. How we wish you and Gabby could be there in March '07 to receive your gold medals in person! You are my heroes....

Fairfax County Dispatcher
Fairfax County DPSC

December 19, 2006

Always thinking of you and Gabby. God bless both of you.

December 17, 2006

Recently I had the oppurtunity to visit Sully for the 1st time. I must say I had to take a deep breath before i walked in. I was working that horrible day at communications and heard it all on the radio. In the station I made it a point to walk to the back doors and look in the back lot,sally port to the left and to the right there it was your space empty with a black ribbon across the sign. All I could hear was the pounding of the bullets hitting the station and Gabby's voice. I stood there for a while and played the events in my head. Before the shooting I applied to be an Officer with the county and that day only fueled my desire more. It was a long process but I am very proud to say that I was recently hired and scheduled to start the Jan academy. I hope and pray that I can be at least half the officer you were and can make a difference as you did.

you are dearly missed

Recruit
FCPD

December 16, 2006

Vicky, we miss you terribly. I think of you every single day, Love

December 15, 2006

Hi Vicki-
The holidays are now in full swing. I think about you as often today as on May 8 and all the time in between. The holidays are supposed to be spent with family and friends. Not so for you, Tyler, Thomas and Mason. However, from where you are I am certain you are with them.
It was an honor to know you Vicki! How appropriate to wish you an early Merry Christmas as you are now in the prescense of the person who gave us Chrismas.
You will not be forgotten Vicki.

Lt. Bill Desmond
FXX Co PD

December 4, 2006

Vicky, with Christmas coming up, I can't help but miss you at the station. I always enjoyed seeing your office fill up with toys for your children. I put up my Christmas tree outside my office today and smiled as I fluffed the blue and silver bow that tops the tree. That was your job. You always made sure it was fluffed and looked right when you walked by. I found a poem today that so reminded me of you and Gabby. It's called "Merry Christmas From Heaven":

I still hear the songs
I still see the lights
I still feel your love
on cold wintery nights

I still share your hopes
and all of your cares
I'll even remind you
to please say your prayers

I just want to tell you
you still make me proud
You stand head and shoulders
above all the crowd

Keep trying each moment
to stay in His grace
I came here before you
to help set your place

You don't have to be
perfect all of the time
He forgives you the slip
If you continue the climb

To my family and friends
please be thankful today
I'm still close beside you
In a new special way

I love you all dearly
now don't shed a tear
Cause I'm spending my
Christmas with Jesus this year.

(Unpublished work, copyright 1989, John Wm Mooney, Jr.)

You are forever missed. Merry Christmas Vicky. God bless you always.

Mary

November 29, 2006

As I read ODMP this morning, with my coffee, I realize how fortunate I am. The memory of this horrific event comes rushing back. My thoughts and prayers are for your family,friends and colleagues that are left to move on. You will be forever remembered with love by them and with gratitude by the rest of us. You are a hero for your service. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Sergeant Brian Bowman
Toronto Police Service, Canada

November 27, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving Vicky

Alexy Abdo

November 23, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Thinking and praying for your family.

wife
fcPD/NTPD

November 23, 2006

I'm getting my badge today... After six long months, I and 19 others are getting our badges today. Just one week into our training, that day changed every week after it. Christ, we were just down the road when it happened... But we're still here. I'd like to think that maybe your courage made the difference in the academy, and will continue to on the street.

Thank you for everything 2806. Rest in peace - we'll take it from here.

_6362

Aux. 6362
FCPD

November 14, 2006

Each day I struggle to hold on to my connection to the law enforcement community...Losing Drew brought me closer to it, but life has taken me away from it...we were there in DC last May...to see Drew's name on the wall...to hear his name read...The kids were on the field trip to Quantico with C.O.P.S....they saw the road closed down...they were late getting back to Alexandria...I spent the next couple of days thinking of your family...knowing the pain they were feeling...knowing that in one year they would be there to honor you...that "thin blue line" which is so strong and proud in your area has not showed itself to me here yet since we moved south...but I have faith that I will find it....I just wanted you to know that today I am thinking about you and praying for your family...and in May I will be in DC when they read your name...and everyone there will remember you and what you did.. Thank you for your sacrifice...keep watch over your family...they will survive...we all will....say hi to Drew from me if you happen to see him...
Much love and prayers,
Chrissy Henley

November 10, 2006

Vicky,

You are loved and missed so much. Thank you so much for what you and Gabby did that horrible day. Not a day goes by where you are not thought of. We at MT Vernon miss you. May God keep you in the hollow of his hand and raise you up on Eagle's Wings. Stay strong Tyler, We're behind you.

OFC DS Ziants
FCPD-Mt.Vernon

November 7, 2006

Hey Vicky,
I miss you and think about you everyday.

Sandy
sister

November 3, 2006

I had the chance this week to meet your beautiful daughter at church. She looks so much like you. I pray that as she grows older, she will be able to know what a hero her mom was. Thank you for being our protector.

Melissa

November 3, 2006

i was looking through the police web page and i just had to send a message to the family of detective ARMEL and all of the usa police we in the uk do not really understand what your officers have to deal with on a daily basis that they put there life on the line every time they go on duty i watch with interest the american police shows and i admire you all so much.all your families must be so proud of you

October 27, 2006

Vicky, They say time helps heal, but not for me. Every day I still see your smile. A day does not go bye that I don't think of you and Gabby. But yet, I truely know in my heart, that you are at peace. As we escorted you to your service, in the early morning hours, the sun broke thru the clouds and and I felt a strange calm over me. Thats when I knew you were at peace.
There is so much to be said and not enough time to say it. You are truely a hero, a fighter. You could have stayed in the Station but yet you responded. You put up the fight and we are all so very proud of you. God bless you Vicky. We Love you and miss you. See you on the other side.

Master Patrol Officer
FCPD

October 20, 2006

As a christian and U.S. citizen, I am thankful for the way the Lord used a tragic situation in the lives of Vicki and the other officer involved, to bring countless souls to the saving grace He offers to those who accept His free gift of salvation. I am thankful that during her life here on earth, Vicki had the boldness, courage, and godly inspiration to not only perform and carry out her responsibilities as a police officer, wife, and mother, but she also submitted her will to God's will for his use of these qualities and gifts she had in making a difference in the lives of those she came in contact with, both before and after her passing from this life to the next. I know God is proud of her and welcomed her into eternity with an embrace that fulfills the epitomy of love, and that He will continue to comfort her family and friends whom she left behind, and even bring them into a closer walk with Him as a result of this entire situation.

Tricia Stephens
U.S. Citizen

October 12, 2006

vicky,

i still see the image of my son's smiling face (3mos) ...as you watched over him at the station as i grabbed a few things i needed...and you said "oh hes soo cute and look he's smiling he must like me" ..his smile was because of the love and affection you bring to everyone, that was one week before a coward took your life. never forgotten my friend...

fcpd
fcpd

October 3, 2006

Vicky,
We will be honoring you later today at a wreath laying ceremony. Although it has been almost five months since you were taken from us, I still think of you often and am sad that you are not here to chat with anymore. I pray that Tyler and the kids will get through this upcoming holiday season, because I know it will be difficult. Miss you...

Detective
FCPD

October 3, 2006

Time helps but not much. I still hurt. I miss you

Detective
Fairfax County Police

September 29, 2006

Detective, I still remember when your shooting came across the teletype at the Troop and the feeling of vulnerability that came across me knowing that this happened right at the station. You are a true hero and will always be remembered for your sacrifice.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

September 28, 2006