Ashley Guindon Killed: Rookie Cop Shot And Killed On Her First Shift, Just Hours After Being Sworn In


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Ashley Guindon was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, just a matter of hours after she was sworn in as a Prince William County police officer.

Guindon was shot along with two other officers who responded to a domestic violence shooting in Dale City, Virginia. The suspect had reportedly shot and killed his wife and then opened fire on officers when they arrived.

The police department announced Saturday night on Facebook that Guindon had been killed.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce that Prince William County Police Officer Ashley Guindon, one of the officers involved in this evening shooting on Lashmere Ct, has died as a result of her injuries sustained during the incident. The investigation into the shooting is still underway and the remaining two officers wounded during the encounter are continuing to be treated for their injuries. We ask for everyone’s thoughts and prayers as our department deals with this tragic loss. We also ask for continued patience as we learn more about this incident. Further information will be released when available.”

Neighbors told WUSA that officers surrounded the home where the suspect had reportedly shot his wife, yelling for the man to come out with his hands up. But they then heard gunshots and saw officers go down.

Ashley Guindon was killed just one day after her ceremony to be sworn in as a police officer. The department posted a photo on Twitter showing her and another officer after having officially joined the force.

After word of the killing was released, the department received notes of condolences from across the world.

“You have many supporters out there in real life,” wrote on person on Facebook. “We are all human and in times like this, we the people are with you. Your life matters to us. To the family of the officers that were shot, I further extend sympathy to you.”

Local elected officials also mourned Guindon’s death.

“This is just absolutely tragic,” Prince William Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart said Saturday night in a statement, via Inside Nova. “It just reinforces how dangerous it is to be a police officer. There was a domestic dispute and those are the most dangerous calls you can go on as an officer.”

“This is just a very sad day in the county and for the community,” Stewart said.

Many also came to the hospital where Guindon had died to pay tribute to the fallen officer.

Details of the incident itself are still a bit hazy. Police said they believe the woman killed inside the home was already dead when officers arrived. There was also a 10-year-old inside the home, and police said the child was not harmed.

The condition of the other officers shot was not immediately available. Police said they had the suspect in custody.

[UPDATE: The suspect was later identified as 32-year-old Ronald Hamilton, a sergeant in the U.S. Army who had reportedly been in a day-long domestic dispute with his wife. He faces two counts of murder, two counts of assault, and various weapons charges.]

Ashley Guindon graduated from the police academy in June and had received a degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the New York Daily News reported. She was also a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve service member and reportedly came from a family with many police officers.

[Image via Twitter]

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