Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Vicky Armel was shot and killed when a suspect opened fire on her and other officers in the parking lot of the Sully District Station on Stonecroft Boulevard in Chantilly.
The suspect had carjacked a van moments earlier and drove into the police station's back parking lot. The suspect 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. Several officers who responded to the parking lot also exchanged shots with him, killing him. In addition to the hunting rifle, the suspect was armed with five handguns and another rifle.
Detective Armel and the Master Police Officer Garbarino were flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital by members of the agency's Helicopter Division. Master Police Officer Garbarino remained in critical condition for 9 days before succumbing to his wounds.
Investigation revealed that the 18-year-old suspect had been arrested by Fairfax County police officers two weeks earlier for a carjacking he had committed in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Detective Armel had served with the Fairfax County Police Department for 9 years and had previously served with the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office for 8 years.
Survivors
She is survived by her son, a daughter, and her husband, who also serves as an officer with the agency.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-0F7D5A41- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Armel gave the Fairfax County Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fairfax community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Armel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Vicky Anne Owen Armel is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In VA, 394 of 656 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.1% of this state's fallen. That is 60.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Fairfax County Police Department, 2 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Vicky Anne Owen Armel's cause is highlighted.
How Vicky Anne Owen Armel Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Vicky Anne Owen Armel is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Vicky Anne Owen Armel was killed by rifle; .30-.06.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Fairfax County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
