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Incident
Master Police Officer Michael Garbarino succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 9 days earlier when a suspect opened fire on him 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 Officer Garbarino, who was sitting in his patrol car, striking him five times.
Despite being critically wounded, Officer Garbarino was able to broadcast a warning to other officers not to exit the back of the police station.
Detective Vicky 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 the shooter, killing him. In addition to the hunting rifle, the killer was armed with five handguns and another rifle.
Master Police Officer Garbarino and Detective Armel were flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital by members of the agency's helicopter division.
Investigation revealed that the 18-year-old killer had been arrested by Fairfax County police officers two weeks earlier for a carjacking he had committed in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Master Police Officer Garbarino had served with the Fairfax County Police Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Master Police Officer Garbarino gave the Fairfax County Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Fairfax community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Master Police Officer Garbarino.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fairfax County Police Department has lost 8 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2006, 6 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 2006, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2006, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 53. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 53. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 53. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.2% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 9.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25% of all 8 deaths at Fairfax County Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .30-.06, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .30-.06, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .30-.06, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .30-.06, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Fairfax County Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Fairfax County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
