On Friday, May 8, 2020 the FCPD Facebook page posted the following:

“Today we remember our fallen sister, Detective Vicky O. Armel. In 2006, she was tragically shot and killed when a suspect opened fire on her and other officers in the parking lot of the Sully District Station. We honor her for her bravery and service. Her dedication to her community during her 17 years with the department has not been forgotten!”

On May 8, 2006, Detective Vicky Armel was shot and killed when a gunman opened fire on her and other officers in the parking lot of the Sully District Station on Stonecroft Boulevard in Chantilly. The detective was the first Fairfax County Police Officer shot to death in the history of the department.

The gunman had carjacked a van moments earlier and drove into the police station’s back parking lot. The gunman exited the vehicle and opened fire with a hunting rifle on Master Police Officer Michael Garbarino, who was sitting in his patrol car, striking him five times. Detective Armel, who was also in the parking lot, immediately engaged the suspect and exchanged shots with the man. She was fatally wounded during the exchange.

Despite being critically wounded, Officer Garbarino was able to broadcast a warning to other officers not to exit the back of the police station. Officers who responded to the parking lot also exchanged shots with the gunman, killing him. Officer Garbarino remained in critical condition for 9 days before succumbing to his wounds.

To learn more about Det. Armel and Officer Garbarino, see the 2019 article in the Connection here, and to read a follow-up story about Det. Armel’s family in the intervening years, see this article on the Radford University website here.