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Thousands turn out for funeral of slain Prince William officer Thousands turn out for funeral of slain Prince William officer
(about 4 hours later)
Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the Washington region turned out Tuesday to pay respects to slain Prince William County police officer Ashley Guindon, who was shot and killed just one day after she was sworn in. Thousands of people, including law enforcement officers, family and those from the community who did not know her, turned out Tuesday to pay respects to slain Prince William County police officer Ashley Guindon, who was shot and killed just one day after she was sworn in.
Before the viewing even began at Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbridge at 10 a.m., a long line of officers wearing dress uniforms stretched around the church. A massive American flag strung from the ladders of two fire trucks hung over one entrance to the church parking lot.Before the viewing even began at Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbridge at 10 a.m., a long line of officers wearing dress uniforms stretched around the church. A massive American flag strung from the ladders of two fire trucks hung over one entrance to the church parking lot.
[Watch live: Memorial service for Ashley Guindon]
At another, mounted officers lined the route beneath cloudless blue skies. Near the church’s entrance, K-9 units stood ready with their handlers. At 10 a.m., church bells rang and officers began quietly filing into the church for Guindon’s viewing.At another, mounted officers lined the route beneath cloudless blue skies. Near the church’s entrance, K-9 units stood ready with their handlers. At 10 a.m., church bells rang and officers began quietly filing into the church for Guindon’s viewing.
During the service that followed, Prince William County Police Chief Steve Hudson cited Guindon’s “amazing drive and intelligence and passion.”
“She had accomplished more in 28 years than I think I could in 100,” Hudson said. “That was her desire to serve, to be involved in the things that mattered, to give her life to something worth giving it to. And that’s exactly what she did”
“Hold each other up,” he told the officers in the crowd. “Hold up the Guindon family. And keep that memory of Ashley forever by your heart.”
Guindon was killed on her first day on the street when she and two fellow officers were summoned to a Woodbridge home in the early evening for a domestic dispute. Ronald W. Hamilton, 32, an Army staff sergeant, allegedly opened fire on Guindon and the two other officers as they approached the front door to his and wife’s home.Guindon was killed on her first day on the street when she and two fellow officers were summoned to a Woodbridge home in the early evening for a domestic dispute. Ronald W. Hamilton, 32, an Army staff sergeant, allegedly opened fire on Guindon and the two other officers as they approached the front door to his and wife’s home.
[Police officer slain during her first day on the street][Police officer slain during her first day on the street]
Guindon died of her wounds; the two other officers were shot but are expected to recover. Hamilton’s wife, Crystal Hamilton, 29, who had called 911, was found dead inside the home and was shot before officers arrived. Their 11-year-old son, who celebrated his birthday Wednesday, had sprinted to a neighbor’s home.Guindon died of her wounds; the two other officers were shot but are expected to recover. Hamilton’s wife, Crystal Hamilton, 29, who had called 911, was found dead inside the home and was shot before officers arrived. Their 11-year-old son, who celebrated his birthday Wednesday, had sprinted to a neighbor’s home.
On Monday, Hamilton was held without bond. Charging documents say that Hamilton confessed to the shootings. Prince William County’s chief prosecutor Paul Ebert said he would probably pursue a capital murder charge, which may carry the death penalty. On Monday, Hamilton was held without bond. Prince William County’s chief prosecutor Paul Ebert is pursuing a capital murder charge, which may carry the death penalty.
John Kerr, a retired FBI agent from Woodbridge, was one of about 10 members of the Strength and Honor Motorcycle Club that showed up clad in leathers and chains, and with their motorbikes. Many in the group, made of up active-duty and retired police and military officers, took off work. For Tuesday’s memorial, officers came from around the Washington area and as far away as Florida, New York and Massachusetts. Deputies were there from Harford County, Md., where two officers where fatally shot in the line of duty just last month.
Officer Jason White, of the Hopkinsville, Ky. police department, drove 10 hours through the night to get there.
White said he was a former Prince William County police officer and knew the two officers who were injured in the shooting that claimed Guindon’s life. “I have tons of emotions right now,” he said. “I lost a ton of friends in the military. It was heartbreaking I wasn’t there.”
John Kerr, a retired FBI agent from Woodbridge, was one of about 10 members of the Strength and Honor Motorcycle Club who showed up clad in leathers and chains, and with their motorbikes. Many in the group, made of up active-duty and retired police and military officers, took off work.
“It’s such a tragedy for the family to go through on the first day, the first hour,” Kerr said. “We wanted them to know they are not alone.”“It’s such a tragedy for the family to go through on the first day, the first hour,” Kerr said. “We wanted them to know they are not alone.”
Guindon, who grew up in New Hampshire, began her career with the Prince William County Police department as an intern in its Special Victims Unit before graduating from the academy in June of 2015. After a leave of absence, she was sworn in on Feb. 26.Guindon, who grew up in New Hampshire, began her career with the Prince William County Police department as an intern in its Special Victims Unit before graduating from the academy in June of 2015. After a leave of absence, she was sworn in on Feb. 26.
Guindon also harbored dreams of becoming a pilot. As a Marine Corps reservist, she piloted a helicopter and eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science from the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.Guindon also harbored dreams of becoming a pilot. As a Marine Corps reservist, she piloted a helicopter and eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science from the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.
Guindon also spent much of her time volunteering, including for the Suicide Prevention Program. Her father David Guindon killed himself shortly after he returned home from a six-month deployment from Iraq in 2004.Guindon also spent much of her time volunteering, including for the Suicide Prevention Program. Her father David Guindon killed himself shortly after he returned home from a six-month deployment from Iraq in 2004.
During the ceremony, Prince William County police chief Steve Hudson noted Guindon’s diverse set of interests with a sense of awe. During the service, Denny Glusko, the police department’s chaplain, praised Guindon’s “willingness” to risk her life in the face of “wickedness.”
“She had accomplished more in 28 years than I could in a 100,” Hudson said.
He then invoked Michael Pennington, the last Prince William police officer killed in the line of duty, on Thanksgiving Day in 1990.
“Many of us in this department stand here by you today having lived through this 25 years ago with Mike Pennington. Ashley will never leave you. She will be a part of your life for the remainder of it,” he said. “Her passion and drive will help you keep moving.”
Denny Glusko, the police department’s chaplain, praised Guindon’s “willingness” to risk her life in the face of “wickedness.”
“She had a willingness for that 11-year-old boy in that home, a willingness to give her life for that child,” he said.“She had a willingness for that 11-year-old boy in that home, a willingness to give her life for that child,” he said.
At 1:47 p.m., as the service concluded, the leader of a bag pipe corps shouted “Going Home!” and roughly two dozen bagpipers struck up the tune. About 3,500 people attended the funeral. Many more gathered outside the chapel to see Guindon off.
Five minutes later, color guards snapped to attention and raised their flags. Dozens of Prince William County police officers stood at salute and many civilians placed their hands over their hearts.
Then slowly, pall bearers wheeled Guindon’s casket to a waiting hearse. The officer’s mother, Sharon Guindon, and other family walked alongside them. As the crowd stood silent for several minutes, the only sound was the crack of flags flapping in a stiff breeze.
Members of Guindon’s family hugged Prince William County officers.
Then, the “last call” went out for Guindon over a loudspeaker: “Prince William calling 1145. This is the final call for Officer 1145 Ashley Guindon. . .May you rest in peace. All clear 13:58 hours.”
One Prince William officer standing at salute cried softly. A woman in the crowd dabbed at her eye with a tissue and others stood with their arms draped over loved ones for support.
The bagpipe corps played “Amazing Grace” and the slow procession from the church began.
Dozens of motorcycle officers turned on their engines and lights. Guindon’s family made their way to their cars and the hearse advanced down the route lined by color guards.