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Page, 8 Classifieds, Page 10 Classifieds, v Calendar, Page 12 Tribute to Heroism News, Page 3 Standing in front of MPO Mike Garbarino’s memorial are (from left) his daughters Natalie and Katie; wid- ow Sue Garbarino Woods; Police Chief Ed Roessler; Woods’s brother, Peter Brinko, and Capt. Dean Lay. Artful Show at Westfield News, Page 2 Photo by Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection Photo May 16-22, 2018 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com News The Westfield Pyramid Artful Show at Westfield Art Show was April 4-5. Photos by Bonnie Hobbs Luke Somers, Westfield junior Ryan Bowen, Westfield junior Cailin Berry, Westfield junior Joel Crump, London Towne Elementary, 4th grade Emily Bobek, Virginia Run Elementary, Emily Alvarez, Westfield junior 6th grade Claire Gaito, Stone Middle, 7th grade Sarah Schettini, Stone Laraib Fatima, Coates Elementary, 5th grade Riley Cutler, Westfield senior Middle, 8th grade 2 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News ‘Gabby and Vicky Are Examples of Valor’ Sully Police Station honors Garbarino and Armel. By Bonnie Hobbs ention a date monumentally MPO Mike important to a certain gen- Garbarino Det. Vicky Armel Meration, and people can tell you where they were when, shootout with other responding officers; for example, President Kennedy or Beatle police said he’d fired more than 70 rounds. John Lennon were shot and killed. For Both Armel and Garbarino left spouses, Fairfax County residents – and its Police De- two children each, grieving colleagues and partment, in particular – that date is May a community in mourning. A year later, the 8, 2006. Fairfax County Police Department posthu- That’s because it’s when MPO Mike mously awarded Gold Medals of Valor to “Gabby” Garbarino and Det. Vicky Armel both officers. were fatally shot in the back parking-lot of Last Tuesday’s remembrance ceremony the Sully District Police Station. And for took place in that same parking lot, at the those who knew, loved or worked with same time the tragedy happened. Attend- Photos by Bonnie Hobbs them, that date is forever seared in their ees included Deputy County Executive Dave Some of the attendees at the remembrance ceremony for the two, hearts. Rohrer, county Police Chief Ed Roessler, fallen officers. Last Tuesday, May 8, they gathered at the former county fire and rescue Assistant station – as they have each year since the Chief of Operations Dave Rohr, former Sully with the National Capital Regional Intelli- Vicky. I consider all of you family, and I just tragedy – to remember these two officers District Station Commander Susan Culin, gence Center, and I responded here that day. wanted to say thank you. Mike and Vicky with a special ceremony. The station com- family members and colleagues of Armel I saw men and women at their best, and I will never be forgotten by anyone here.” mander, Capt. Dean Lay, began it by say- and Garbarino – including Armel’s former saw valor. Gabby and Vicky are those ex- Then Armel’s and Garbarino’s families ing, “We’re here to honor two heroes.” partner, Mike Motafches, and former Sully amples of valor, and every day I go through laid flowers on their own and on each On May 8, 2006, around 3:40 p.m., 18- District Supervisor Michael Frey, whose of- that [parking-lot] gate, I remember that.” other’s memorials there. Afterward, year-old Michael Kennedy carjacked a van. fice was in that police station. Capt. Shawn Next came a moment of silence in their Garbarino’s widow, Sue Garbarino Woods Responding to the call, Armel went outside Perkins, a county police chaplain, gave the memory, followed by a tone sounding and (who remarried last September) said, “It to the police station’s rear lot. But as she invocation. a police helicopter flyover. Then Lay said was tough,” but also stressed how much she reached her cruiser, Kennedy – armed with “Thank You for the opportunity of honor- he’d be returning to their families the me- appreciated the event. five handguns, an assault weapon and a ing the lives Vicky and Mike lived and their mentos people had given the Police Depart- “I was at the McLean District Station ear- high-powered rifle – drove into that lot. public service, and bless each public ser- ment in Garbarino’s and Armel’s honor, over lier today, and they had a service today, too, There, an unarmed Garbarino was tend- vant,” he prayed. “These were two of my the years. ing to things inside his cruiser before leav- friends. And in these times in which we live Stepping next to the podium was the as- See Sully Police Station, Page 9 ing on vacation. Standing just a few yards – in honor of the lives they gave –I chal- sistant station com- away, Kennedy ambushed him, firing more lenge you to continue to do your best, de- mander, Lt. Ryan than 20 rounds at the officer with an AK- spite the atmosphere where you often don’t Morgan. “This al- 47-type rifle. feel appreciated.” ways touched me When the shooting began, Armel, a 17- “The hope is that, when you’re out on the deep inside and, ev- year police veteran, made her presence street, you’ll do things, not because of what ery year, it hurts,” he known to Kennedy to draw fire away from you’ll get in return,” continued Perkins. said. “They say Garbarino. She and Kennedy exchanged “You’re giving in good measure, as God time’s supposed to gunfire, and a bullet from his 30-06 rifle promises to give to us. Thank you for all heal, but we won’t pierced her ballistic vest and entered her you do for so many who won’t thank you. forget. We’ll always chest. Be safe out there.” preserve the She made it back inside her cruiser, but Recalling May 8, 2006, Lay said, “I was memory of Mike and was shot again in the legs. Yet even though mortally wounded, she still fired four more rounds, trying to stop the assailant. Armel was later pronounced dead at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Garbarino also displayed bravery under fire that day. Although he’d been shot five times and was gravely wounded and in pain, the 23-year police veteran used his cruiser’s radio to alert other officers to the danger. He provided suspect information, told the police helicopter where to land and warned other officers to approach from the front of the building so they wouldn’t walk straight into harm’s way. He also prayed to God and told his fel- low officers, “I’m not going to die here.” True to his word, Garbarino held on in the hospital for nine more days, but succumbed to his injuries May 17, 2006. As for Kennedy, From left are Sandy Munday, Mason Armel and Sue Garbarino Woods stands in front of her late he was killed the day of the offense in a Munday’s daughter Taylor. husband’s memorial. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Chantilly Connection ❖ May 16-22, 2018 ❖ 3 News ‘It Restores Your Faith in Humanity’ sented her with the check. Injured police officer They wanted to raise money for her, ex- plained Ladson, because “MOD believes in receives money community giving, and we knew it was the right thing to do.” But his restaurant went raised for her. above and beyond what most events of this type attempt. By Bonnie Hobbs Instead of donating just 10 or 20 percent of their proceeds during a few-hours’ time ne minute, McLean Police Of- period, MOD gave Block 50 percent. It also ficer Ashley Block was help- made it an all-day fundraiser that applied Oing out during the March 2 to every customer that day. Topping it off, windstorm; and the next, she the wait staff donated 100 percent of their was pinned to the ground by a tree that tips — which accounted for $700 of the total crashed down on her. She sustained severe $3,000 raised. injuries; and when a Sully District police “Police officers give everything for us, so officer mentioned her accident to the gen- we wanted to do something for her,” said eral manager of a Greenbriar pizza place, Photo by Bonnie Hobbs Huber. it spurred a fundraiser for her. MOD Pizza presents a ceremonial check to Officer Ashley Block. From Before the check presentation, Ladson It was held March 20 at MOD Pizza, and left are her dad, Kerry Block; stepmom, Tammy Block; boyfriend, PFC told Winner how happy they were to hold police and firefighters from throughout Sharif Issa of the McLean District Station; Block; her mom, Janet Win- the fundraiser for her daughter, and she Fairfax County, plus area residents, braved ner; Greenbriar MOD General Manager Dean Ladson; store trainee Jenny replied, “Thanks for taking care of my baby; freezing temperatures, sleet and ice to get Bye; and MOD District Manager Dirk Huber. I think it’s awesome.” there. A month later, on April 26 – although Block said she became a police officer still on crutches – Block was able to be at “I’m scared of trees now,” she said. “When from Michigan to take care of her daughter because “I always had a passion to serve the restaurant, herself, to receive a check it happened, I heard a crack and started while she convalesced. the community; I just had a calling for it. for the $3,000 raised in her name. running – and all of a sudden, I was down She now undergoes physical therapy, five I hope to work federally someday, but I “I’m lucky to be alive,” she said.

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