On Feb. 27, 2016, Ashley Guindon (’10, DB) was responding to a deadly domestic incident as a new police officer for the Prince William County (Va.) Police Department, when she was killed in the line of duty. It was her first day on the job. She was 28.
“It was part of her makeup,” says Chris Bonner, associate professor of homeland security at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus, referring to Guindon’s desire to protect and serve others. Bonner, a retired FBI agent, says Guindon expressed an interest to him in law enforcement, following a lecture in which he shared some of his career experiences. A member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 2007 to 2015, Guindon was already serving her country at the time.
She completed a B.S. in Aeronautics with minors in psychology, homeland security and aviation safety. Interning at the Prince William County Police Department with the Special Victims Unit, Guindon graduated from the Police Academy in June 2015. After a leave of absence, she was sworn in Feb. 26, 2016.
More than 100 members of the Embry-Riddle community gathered to honor Guindon at a memorial service held March 22, 2016, at the Embry-Riddle Center for Faith and Spirituality in Daytona Beach, Fla. A scholarship in her name was established at the university for students seeking a degree in homeland security or global conflict studies, with the intent to pursue a career in public service.
“Ashley was a remarkable young woman. As a police officer and U.S. Marine, she embodied the positive attributes of duty, honor, country and service above self. She was driven to excellence,” says Bonner. “It is tragic that she was killed in the line of duty on her first day on the job as a police officer; however, it is more important to note that she died while protecting her community. She will always serve as an example as to the best that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University produces in an alumnus.”
To contribute to the Ashley Guindon Memorial Scholarship, visit givingto.erau.edu/guindon