Fairfax Police Honor Fallen Officers

A squad of 12 motorcycle cops escorted vehicles carrying about 20 family members to the service on Tuesday afternoon at the police department headquarters at the . It was the ninth annual memorial service dedicated to those who had died in the line of duty.

The service is something the department holds every year in an attempt to keep fresh the memories of those who had passed away, said Police Chief David Rohrer, who hosted the ceremonies.

“We want to make sure this isn’t just some words on a wall,” Rohrer said, “this is personal and really means something. These officers were part of the community and this is our chance to honor them.”

During his remarks, Rohrer spoke directly to the family members, whom he said he keeps in touch with on an informal basis throughout the year.

“It just means so much for you (the family members) to be here,” Rohrer said, “and that we will never forget their sacrifice.”

After Rohrer’s remarks, family members placed red, long-stemmed roses in a crystal vase as their names were called. It was easily the most moving part of the ceremony as a number of relatives and the assembled police officers became teary-eyed when the names were called. 

The six officers honored were:

• Police Second Lt. Frank Stecco, who died during a water rescue training exercise in Pohick Bay on Oct. 25, 2008.
• Police Capt. Tommy Bernal, killed when a vehicle struck his motorcycle during a training exercise June 28, 2001.
• Officer Karen Bassford, killed in an automobile crash while responding to a burglary call on July 27, 1977.
• Special Police Officer Hendrick "Sandy" Gideonse, killed in an on-duty automobile crash on Dec. 3, 1998.
• Police Detective Vicky Armel and Officer Michael Garbarino, killed when a gunman opened fire at the  police substation on May 8, 2006.

The were especially significant because they are the first two officers killed in a line-of-duty shooting in county history. The gunman was also killed in the exchange of gunfire.

Even though the county is enjoying its lowest crime rate in history, Rohrer noted that law enforcement remains a dangerous profession, with 152 lawmen across the country who died while on duty last year – which was an increase from 2009.

“As a profession, we must work as hard as we can to bring that number as close to zero as possible,” Rohrer said.