Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Vicky, today the recipients of the valor awards were announced. How we wish you and Gabby could be there in March '07 to receive your gold medals in person! You are my heroes....

Fairfax County Dispatcher
Fairfax County DPSC

December 19, 2006

Always thinking of you and Gabby. God bless both of you.

December 17, 2006

Recently I had the oppurtunity to visit Sully for the 1st time. I must say I had to take a deep breath before i walked in. I was working that horrible day at communications and heard it all on the radio. In the station I made it a point to walk to the back doors and look in the back lot,sally port to the left and to the right there it was your space empty with a black ribbon across the sign. All I could hear was the pounding of the bullets hitting the station and Gabby's voice. I stood there for a while and played the events in my head. Before the shooting I applied to be an Officer with the county and that day only fueled my desire more. It was a long process but I am very proud to say that I was recently hired and scheduled to start the Jan academy. I hope and pray that I can be at least half the officer you were and can make a difference as you did.

you are dearly missed

Recruit
FCPD

December 16, 2006

Vicky, we miss you terribly. I think of you every single day, Love

December 15, 2006

Hi Vicki-
The holidays are now in full swing. I think about you as often today as on May 8 and all the time in between. The holidays are supposed to be spent with family and friends. Not so for you, Tyler, Thomas and Mason. However, from where you are I am certain you are with them.
It was an honor to know you Vicki! How appropriate to wish you an early Merry Christmas as you are now in the prescense of the person who gave us Chrismas.
You will not be forgotten Vicki.

Lt. Bill Desmond
FXX Co PD

December 4, 2006

Vicky, with Christmas coming up, I can't help but miss you at the station. I always enjoyed seeing your office fill up with toys for your children. I put up my Christmas tree outside my office today and smiled as I fluffed the blue and silver bow that tops the tree. That was your job. You always made sure it was fluffed and looked right when you walked by. I found a poem today that so reminded me of you and Gabby. It's called "Merry Christmas From Heaven":

I still hear the songs
I still see the lights
I still feel your love
on cold wintery nights

I still share your hopes
and all of your cares
I'll even remind you
to please say your prayers

I just want to tell you
you still make me proud
You stand head and shoulders
above all the crowd

Keep trying each moment
to stay in His grace
I came here before you
to help set your place

You don't have to be
perfect all of the time
He forgives you the slip
If you continue the climb

To my family and friends
please be thankful today
I'm still close beside you
In a new special way

I love you all dearly
now don't shed a tear
Cause I'm spending my
Christmas with Jesus this year.

(Unpublished work, copyright 1989, John Wm Mooney, Jr.)

You are forever missed. Merry Christmas Vicky. God bless you always.

Mary

November 29, 2006

As I read ODMP this morning, with my coffee, I realize how fortunate I am. The memory of this horrific event comes rushing back. My thoughts and prayers are for your family,friends and colleagues that are left to move on. You will be forever remembered with love by them and with gratitude by the rest of us. You are a hero for your service. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Sergeant Brian Bowman
Toronto Police Service, Canada

November 27, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving Vicky

Alexy Abdo

November 23, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Thinking and praying for your family.

wife
fcPD/NTPD

November 23, 2006

I'm getting my badge today... After six long months, I and 19 others are getting our badges today. Just one week into our training, that day changed every week after it. Christ, we were just down the road when it happened... But we're still here. I'd like to think that maybe your courage made the difference in the academy, and will continue to on the street.

Thank you for everything 2806. Rest in peace - we'll take it from here.

_6362

Aux. 6362
FCPD

November 14, 2006

Each day I struggle to hold on to my connection to the law enforcement community...Losing Drew brought me closer to it, but life has taken me away from it...we were there in DC last May...to see Drew's name on the wall...to hear his name read...The kids were on the field trip to Quantico with C.O.P.S....they saw the road closed down...they were late getting back to Alexandria...I spent the next couple of days thinking of your family...knowing the pain they were feeling...knowing that in one year they would be there to honor you...that "thin blue line" which is so strong and proud in your area has not showed itself to me here yet since we moved south...but I have faith that I will find it....I just wanted you to know that today I am thinking about you and praying for your family...and in May I will be in DC when they read your name...and everyone there will remember you and what you did.. Thank you for your sacrifice...keep watch over your family...they will survive...we all will....say hi to Drew from me if you happen to see him...
Much love and prayers,
Chrissy Henley

November 10, 2006

Vicky,

You are loved and missed so much. Thank you so much for what you and Gabby did that horrible day. Not a day goes by where you are not thought of. We at MT Vernon miss you. May God keep you in the hollow of his hand and raise you up on Eagle's Wings. Stay strong Tyler, We're behind you.

OFC DS Ziants
FCPD-Mt.Vernon

November 7, 2006

Hey Vicky,
I miss you and think about you everyday.

Sandy
sister

November 3, 2006

I had the chance this week to meet your beautiful daughter at church. She looks so much like you. I pray that as she grows older, she will be able to know what a hero her mom was. Thank you for being our protector.

Melissa

November 3, 2006

i was looking through the police web page and i just had to send a message to the family of detective ARMEL and all of the usa police we in the uk do not really understand what your officers have to deal with on a daily basis that they put there life on the line every time they go on duty i watch with interest the american police shows and i admire you all so much.all your families must be so proud of you

October 27, 2006

Vicky, They say time helps heal, but not for me. Every day I still see your smile. A day does not go bye that I don't think of you and Gabby. But yet, I truely know in my heart, that you are at peace. As we escorted you to your service, in the early morning hours, the sun broke thru the clouds and and I felt a strange calm over me. Thats when I knew you were at peace.
There is so much to be said and not enough time to say it. You are truely a hero, a fighter. You could have stayed in the Station but yet you responded. You put up the fight and we are all so very proud of you. God bless you Vicky. We Love you and miss you. See you on the other side.

Master Patrol Officer
FCPD

October 20, 2006

As a christian and U.S. citizen, I am thankful for the way the Lord used a tragic situation in the lives of Vicki and the other officer involved, to bring countless souls to the saving grace He offers to those who accept His free gift of salvation. I am thankful that during her life here on earth, Vicki had the boldness, courage, and godly inspiration to not only perform and carry out her responsibilities as a police officer, wife, and mother, but she also submitted her will to God's will for his use of these qualities and gifts she had in making a difference in the lives of those she came in contact with, both before and after her passing from this life to the next. I know God is proud of her and welcomed her into eternity with an embrace that fulfills the epitomy of love, and that He will continue to comfort her family and friends whom she left behind, and even bring them into a closer walk with Him as a result of this entire situation.

Tricia Stephens
U.S. Citizen

October 12, 2006

vicky,

i still see the image of my son's smiling face (3mos) ...as you watched over him at the station as i grabbed a few things i needed...and you said "oh hes soo cute and look he's smiling he must like me" ..his smile was because of the love and affection you bring to everyone, that was one week before a coward took your life. never forgotten my friend...

fcpd
fcpd

October 3, 2006

Vicky,
We will be honoring you later today at a wreath laying ceremony. Although it has been almost five months since you were taken from us, I still think of you often and am sad that you are not here to chat with anymore. I pray that Tyler and the kids will get through this upcoming holiday season, because I know it will be difficult. Miss you...

Detective
FCPD

October 3, 2006

Time helps but not much. I still hurt. I miss you

Detective
Fairfax County Police

September 29, 2006

Detective, I still remember when your shooting came across the teletype at the Troop and the feeling of vulnerability that came across me knowing that this happened right at the station. You are a true hero and will always be remembered for your sacrifice.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

September 28, 2006

I miss you.....

Detective
FCPD

September 28, 2006

God bless this wonderful person. I didn't know her but know she was a truely wonderful person and had a positive effect within her department and people around her. God bless this wonderful person..

September 27, 2006

I only met Det. Vicki Armel once and it was not on the best of terms. I was a young teenager living life as if I was invincible. Although I was not the teenager at my friend's house that morning that she was there for, of course I was questioned and strongly advised to make better decisions of who I associate myself with. That one experience changed my life, Detective Vicki Armel saved my life. Since, she has been in the back of my head always popping up whenever I have had to make the right decision, when many friends of mine chose the wrong one. Had I not encountered her at that very point in time, my life would have been taken down the wrong path.

Detective Armel's influence on me changed not only every future decision I have had to make but my outlook on life. I remember she asked that morning after I had gotten off the phone with my father, "What does your father think of you in this situation?" I responded that he was furious, disappointed, and hurt because he thought he had raised me to make better decisions, expecially when it came to (harmlessly) choosing friends. Then she asked me if it was worth it... Being as polite as I could I explained to her that my father's words don't mean anything to me, thats why I look to my friends. She asked where my mother was then. I told her she is who raised me and that she had passed. She asked what my mother would have thought about this. I told her I wouldn't have been here had my mother still been alive. Detective Armel then got down on my level and spoke to me with great sincerity and said, -Just because your mother is gone doesn't justify endangering yourself. You can still make good decisions and still make her proud. The so-called friends you have here have all bailed, and you are left here to speak to the police. They won't have your back so why continue having theirs. When things hit the fan your friends are answering to their parents and don't think twice about you or your well-being. Your parents ONLY have your absolute well-being in mind. Living or Dead. - Her words, that she absolutely did not have to speak, impacted me more than anyone has since my mother. It was the guidance, and sign that it was time, I needed to change my life. And I'm severely in debt to her for placing my life on the correct path and literally giving me the chance and guidance, out of one conversation, to do right from that point on.

Now I'm very regretful I didn't pay attention to the news after the first few hours on the day of the shooting in May. I heard officers had been shot and later that two had passed, but it was all clouded over in the media about the event rather than the individuals. It was 4 days ago that the Centreville Parade passed in front of my car in a Centreville shopping center. As I waited for the parade to pass, I looked to my right and saw a van parked with a bumper sticker that stated "In honor of Vicki Armel" and I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. So many thoughts ran through my head. How could I have not known that she was the detective shot months before, how could I have not done what I wished to do, by contacting her and thanking her for changing my life. I am just one young adult she touched and changed and influenced in 20 minutes, that has lasted and will last my entire life. Think about all the teenagers and adults even that she had touched in 17 years of service. Did she have family? How do I tell everyone I possibly could, all she did for me? And tonight I ran across this page online in remembrance of her.

To her family and friends: I can only say what she told me, that even if she has passed, you can still continue making her proud. Detective Armel saved me and I have never and will never forget her. Her life is one that has marked more people than imaginable and I personally give my deep condolences to her family. I am so grateful to have encountered her in my lifetime and although her time on earth was short, may she rest in peace in heaven.

I appreciate the opportunity to post this message. Thank you.

Jessica Butler
Wrong place at the wrong time

September 20, 2006

Thinking of you this day and everyday.

A Maryland Citizen

September 14, 2006