Posted on 05/17/2006 9:32:02 PM PDT by FoxInSocks
FAIRFAX, Va. - A officer shot during the attack at the Sully District Police Station died early Wednesday.
Michael Garbarino, 53, of Centreville, died at 2:45 a.m., an Inova Fairfax spokeswoman tells WTOP.
Garbarino died surrounded by his family, spokeswoman Karen Ferguson says. Fellow officers and friends also were there, police say.
"Our family has again suffered a tremendous loss," said Fairfax County Police Chief David M. Rohrer, in a news release.
He is survived by his wife, two children and his parents. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Having lived near his post at the Sully District Police Station, Garbarino was familiar to many of the people he served and attended neighborhood football games and church bazaars, Rohrer said.
"His dedication and enthusiasm were contagious. He loved being a police officer and he performed his duties throughout his career with professionalism and passion," Rohrer said.
Garbarino death comes on the same day that the Virginia State Police are holding a memorial service for all Virginia law enforcement agents killed in the line of duty.
"Our hope is not lost. We find hope that he was doing what he wanted to do, and we will go forward with him as a role model," Rohrer said.
Dr. Kevin Dwyer of Inova Fairfax Hospital says Garbarino's injuries were so extensive, when he arrived at the hospital he only had a 5 percent chance of surviving 48 hours.
Although the officer seemed to progress throughout the week, he suffered massive organ failure on Tuesday. Dwyer says Garbarino was kept heavily sedated throughout his treatment.
The 23-year veteran of the force who had achieved the rank of Master Police Officer was shot five times by Michael Kennedy, 18, of Centreville.
Kennedy shot Garbarino as Garbarino sat in his car on the police station parking lot May 8.
Detective Vicky O. Armel also died in the ambush. She was the first officer shot to death in the line of duty in the 66-year history of the Fairfax County Police Department.
Police said Kennedy fired at least 70 rounds when he entered the police station parking lot with an AK-47-style assault rifle, a high-powered hunting rifle and five handguns.
Officers shot and killed Kennedy as he made his way across the parking lot. Armel was among those who returned fire.
Police officers have established a trust fund for the families of Armel and Garbarino.
RIP
RIP officer.
To another one of the best of us, we say goodbye.
Potomac Ridge said Kennedy was voluntarily admitted to the facility at about 1 p.m. on April 18 and escaped that evening by breaking through a window. Potomac Ridge said it had no contact with him since.
Arrested for a state and/or Federal Life Felony last month. Out pending trial. Shooda been locked up tight. Duh. Another triumph for psychiatric caregivers. Wonder what they shot him up with? Haldol and a tie-down bed wooda been appropriate.
R.I.P.
That is a shame.
Rest in peace.
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