Honoring slain Prince William County officer

Officer Ashley Guindon’s funeral services were held in Woodbridge, Va., and there was a tremendous turnout.

A second wave of officers responded to the shots-fired call. At 10 a.m., church bells rang and officers began quietly filing into the church for Guindon’s viewing.

The funeral service itself started at 12 p.m. Two fire department ladder trucks hoisted a large American flag above the entrance to the chapel grounds. Thousands turned out along the route to pay tribute to Officer Guindon as police vehicles turned on their lights in her honor.

A growing memorial can be seen in front of the home on Lashmere Court where the shootings occurred as many have left flowers and other items of remembrance for Hamilton. She was joined by another officer, Steven Kendall. The other two officers are expected to survive. “That’s exactly what she did”, Hudson said. “She will be a part of your life for the remainder of it. Her strength will inspire you. She couldn’t get it out of her blood”.

“Blessed are the peacemakers”, Creedon said.

Officer Guindon graduated from Merrimack High School in 2005 where she belonged to the cheerleading squad and Jr. She will be laid to rest Monday morning in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Members of the Manassas City Police Department, Prince William County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police will assist. They also don’t have the courage to walk inside the couple’s home. If possible, checks should be made payable to “PWCPA in memory of OFC Ashley Guindon”.

Guindon went through training with the department a year ago before leaving for personal reasons. She earned numerous awards until her tenure ended in 2013.

In 2011, Officer Guindon relocated to Virginia to pursue graduate studies.

During the ceremony, Prince William County police chief Steve Hudson noted Guindon’s diverse set of interests with a sense of awe. She had a stated goal of serving as a crime scene investigator, and it was her overwhelmingly positive experience with that Bureau that led her to eventually apply as an officer. “We wanted them to know they are not alone”. The only thing that rivaled her fascination of birds and nature was her love for her furry best friend, her pet pug, Scout.

Officer Ashley Marie Guindon of Woodbridge, VA was killed in the line of duty on February 27, 2016.

Guindon also spent much of her time volunteering, including for the Suicide Prevention Program.

“Ashley accomplished more in 28 years than I could in 100.”