A second officer shot in last week’s attack on the Sully District police station died early Wednesday morning.
Master Police Officer Michael Garbarino, 53, of Centreville, was pronounced dead at INOVA Fairfax hospital at 2:45 a.m.
The 23-year police department veteran became the second police officer in Fairfax County history to be killed in the line of duty. The first was Detective Vicky Armel, victim of 18-year-old Michael W. Kennedy’s shooting rampage on May 8. On Tuesday, authorities released a report saying that Garbarino was showing signs of improvement from the five gunshot wounds he suffered.
“I don’t think anyone expected him to pass away so suddenly,” said Patrick Lucas, a crime prevention officer with the Fairfax County Police Department.
Authorities said Kennedy, who stormed the police station’s parking lot armed with an AK-47-style assault weapon and several other guns, fired off at least 70 bullets before police eventually shot and killed him.
Garbarino, the first officer to be wounded, was in his cruiser when he was shot and called for help on the vehicle’s radio. Struck in the torso and extremities, he was suffering from shock when he arrived at the hospital, said Dr. Kevin Dwyer, co-chief of trauma services at INOVA Fairfax.
“Somewhere in the middle of [Tuesday] afternoon things took a turn for the worse, rather suddenly,” the doctor said Wednesday.
Garbarino remained in critical condition and was under heavy sedation until his death, Dwyer said.
A vigil for the fallen officer will be held at 8 p.m. today in front of the Sully District station.
How to help
» Trust funds have been set up to support the families of Detective Vicky Armel and Master Police Officer Michael Garbarino.
» Donations by cash or check can be made payable to the Armel Family Trust Fund or the Garbarino Family Trust Fund, both
c/o Fairfax County Federal Credit Union, 4201 Members Way, Fairfax, Va. 22030.
Source: Fairfax County Police Department
