WASHINGTON — A funeral with full honors was held for fallen Prince William County Police Officer Ashley Guindon in Springfield, Massachusetts on Monday.
It was a final goodbye and salute to Guindon, 28, who wrote “Live for something rather than die for nothing” as her high school yearbook quote.
Guindon was born in the Springfield area and grew up in Merrimack, New Hampshire.
On Feb. 27, Guindon was gunned down while responding to a domestic dispute in Woodbridge, Virginia. She had only been sworn-in as an officer the day before and was killed less than two hours into her first shift. Police said the Feb. 27 incident stemmed from a dispute between Army staff sergeant Ronald Hamilton, 32, and his wife Crystal Hamilton, 29, who was also shot and killed that night. Ronald Hamilton has been charged with murder for their deaths.
Prince William County police officers Jesse Hempen, 31, and David McKeown, 33, were also shot and wounded. The department says they are recovering well.
On Monday, thousands of police officers from across the country attended Guindon’s farewell salute, which included honor guards and bagpipers.
American flags waved silently in the breeze as the police motorcade drove along the three mile procession route.
When the hearse arrived at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, police officers gently carried her flag-draped casket inside for the funeral Mass, which was open to family, friends, dignitaries and law enforcement.
Following the Mass, Guindon’s body was taken to St. Thomas the Apostle Cemetery. Members of law enforcement lined up at the cemetery for a graveside service that included taps, a flag ceremony and a flyover.
Guindon is buried next to her father, David Guindon, who died in 2004.
How to donate
The Prince William County Police Association has created an account for anyone that wishes to donate money to the family in Guindon’s memory. The association will send all money raised directly to Ashley’s mother.
Make checks payable to “PWCPA in memory of OFC Ashley Guindon.” You can stop by any police station with a donation, or mail it directly to the Police Association:
Prince William County Police Association
Officer Guindon Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 1845
Manassas, VA 20108
The Police Benevolent Foundation and the Virginia Division Police Benevolent Association have also created a memorial and recovery fund to help the Guindon, Hempen, and McKeown families. The funds will be divided equally between them.