Funeral services held for fallen Officer Ashley Guindon

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WOODBRIDGE, Va. - A rookie Prince William County officer who was killed in the line of duty was remembered by colleagues, friends, family and the community Tuesday. Officer Ashley Guindon's funeral services were held in Woodbridge, Va., and there was a tremendous turnout.

Officer Guindon, 28, was working her very first shift on the the streets as a police officer when she responded, along with several of her fellow officers, to a domestic violence call on Saturday afternoon. Investigators say she was shot and killed by a suspect who had allegedly also murdered his wife before the officers arrived.

The services for Officer Guindon were held at the Hylton Memorial Chapel, located at 14640 Potomac Mills Rd. in Woodbridge, and both the viewing and the funeral were open to the public. Her viewing began at 10 a.m., and a long line quickly formed as members of law enforcement dressed in uniform from all over the country and community members who didn't even know Officer Guindon waited their turn to get inside and pay their respects.

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.

Police officers, motorcycle units, honor guards and ceremonial rifle units all stood at attention in formation outside the Woodbridge church. Inside, more than 3,000 mourners including family, friends, colleges and dignitaries such as Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe participated in an service that lasted more than an hour.

During the funeral, Prince William County Police Chief Steve Hudson talked about Guindon's life. She was not only a police officer, but she served in aviation units in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, volunteered in soup kitchens and enjoyed a love of nature and the outdoors.

Other speakers reminded those in attendance that Officer Guindon lost her life as she willingly tried to ensure the safety of her community in the face of what was described here as “wickedness.”

"Ashley will never leave you,” said Chief Hudson. “She will be a part of your life for the remainder of it. Her strength will inspire you. Her passion and drive will keep you moving day in and day out helping you get through these painful days and weeks and months with a positive memory of her and the warmth of knowing what she strove to do in her life."

"Our sister Ashley was suddenly and violently taken from us,” said Rev. Gerard Creedon. “Come swiftly to her aid, have mercy on her, comfort her mother, her family, her friends."

Guindon is originally from Merrimack, New Hampshire. Her casket is now being brought to Massachusetts for a family funeral that will be held on Sunday. She will be laid to rest Monday morning in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

LINE THE ROUTE
A touching tribute to the fallen young police officer lit up the night sky on Monday evening. The Prince William County Police Department paid tribute to Officer Guindon with dozens upon dozens of officers escorting her body to the funeral home where she will be remembered on Tuesday.

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO AND PHOTOS OF THE EMOTIONAL PROCESSION.

DONATIONS TO OFFICER GUINDON'S FAMILY
Prince William County police have also announced they are collection donations for those who would like to help the family of Officer Guindon. Please note these donations are by main, and any online, crowdfunding pages that are set up are not able to be verified. If you'd like to donate, please use the information below instead:

Please make checks payable to “PWCPA OFC Guindon.”
Mail them to:
PWC Police Association
PO Box 1845
Manassas, VA 20108

MORE ABOUT OFFICER GUINDON
According to a biography posted by the Prince William County Police Department, Officer Ashley Marie Guindon, who is from Merrimack, New Hampshire, is the only daughter of Sharon Nowack Guindon and the late David Guindon.

Officer Guindon graduated from Merrimack High School in 2005, where she belonged to the cheerleading squad and Jr. ROTC. In 2007, Officer Guindon enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, serving as a Field Radio Operator and in various aeronautical capacities. She earned numerous awards until her tenure ended in 2013.

Officer Guindon attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, graduating in 2011 with an undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Science. She later attended Fort Lee's Mortuary School, where she was awarded a meritorious mast for achieving the highest GPA in her class.

In 2011, Officer Guindon relocated to Virginia to pursue graduate studies. During this time, she interned with Prince William County Police Department's Forensic Services Bureau. She said at that time she wanted to be a crime scene investigator, and her experience there led her to apply to be an officer.

She graduated from the Prince William Police Criminal Justice Academy in June 2015 as a member of Session #36, but resigned for personal reasons before completing the Field Training Program. She later told friends she missed police work from the very day she left. She was rehired in February 2016 and began her Field Officer Training the evening of February 27, 2016.

The department's biography says Ashley was known as a bright, ambitious, and kind hearted "fashionista" by those who knew her best. She loved dancing, reading and traveling, and she also loved her pug, Scout.

Ashley began serving her community began long before she became an officer. She assisted the Marine Corps Mortuary Affairs Office while serving in the Reserves, worked as a pre-hire with Prince William County Police Special Victim's Unit, and volunteered extensively with the Suicide Prevention Program, a cause near to her heart.

She was 28 years old.

MORE COVERAGE:

Funeral services held for fallen Officer Ashley Guindon

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