Cop Slain on First Day Left Poignant Yearbook Quote

Ashley Guindon's yearbook quote: 'Live for something rather than die for nothing'
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 29, 2016 3:33 AM CST
Cop Slain on First Day Left Poignant Yearbook Quote
This undated photo provided by the Prince William County Police shows Officer Ashley Guindon.    (Prince William County Police via AP)

Ashley Guindon lost her life on Saturday, just a day after she was sworn in as a police officer, after responding to a domestic violence call in Woodbridge, Va. In the aftermath, New Hampshire-area media is remembering the 28-year-old, who grew up in Merrimack. WCVB has this detail from Merrimack High School Principal Ken Johnson, who dug up the 2005 yearbook that featured a graduating Guindon. Her quote: "Live for something rather than die for nothing." "The irony is overwhelming," says Johnson. "A kid who gives her life to community service only to have it taken away the very first day. That's just not fair." The then-senior also wrote this in the yearbook, per the Union Leader: "As I take flight it only makes me closer to u daddy. Mom, thanks for everything it’ll be a long road but we can manage and it will only make u stronger."

The AP explains the "daddy" reference, reporting that "Guindon's death was not the first tragedy to strike her family." Father David killed himself in 2004, one day after returning from Iraq, where he served as part of the New Hampshire Air National Guard. Mom Sharon Guindon still lives in Merrimack; Ashley was their only child. Police say Guindon was killed by Army Sgt. Ronald Hamilton, who opened fire as she arrived at his door; his wife, who had placed a 911 call, was already dead. Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert expects he will seek the death penalty in the case; Hamilton is to be arraigned Monday morning. The AP reports the other two officers shot by the gunman are said to face long recoveries. (More cop killer stories.)

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