By Debbie Gregory.
It was Police Officer Ashley Guindon’s first day on the job as she responded to the domestic disturbance call in the usually quiet suburban neighborhood.
Army Sgt. Ronald Hamilton had been fighting with his wife, Crystal, all day. The fight escalated after Crystal called 911.
Guindon’s service with the Prince William County, VA police department came to a horrific end on February 26th. Sgt.Hamilton, having already shot and killed his wife, opened fire on Guindon and her two fellow officers, killing her and leaving the others seriously wounded.
The Hamilton’s 11-year-old son was home at the time of the shootings.
Guindon, 28, died at the hospital. Her fellow officers, Jesse Hempen and David McKeown, were also shot, and both are expected to recover.
Guindon was a former decorated Marine Corps reservist, having served as a field radio operator from May 2007 to February 2015, reaching the rank of corporal.
While she was in the Marine Corps Reserve, Guindon graduated from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics and minors in psychology, homeland security and aviation safety. She also had a master’s degree in forensic science.
Prince William County Police Chief Stephan Hudson delivered a eulogy at Guindon’s funeral, praising her commitment to duty.
“She came to our department all too briefly with such passion, drive and a desire to serve,” Hudson said.
Guindon was buried on Monday, March 7th next to her father, David Guindon, an Air National Guardsman who killed himself after returning from a tour of duty in Iraq.
Thousands of police officers from across the country attended Guindon’s farewell salute, which included honor guards and bagpipers.
The Police Benevolent Foundation and the Virginia Division Police Benevolent Association have created a memorial and recovery fund to help the Guindon, Hempen, and McKeown families. The funds will be divided equally between them.
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