Officers Use Social Media To Honor Another Killed On Her First Day On The Job
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Although it took place in Virginia, officers here say it hurts all the same. Many are taking to social media to stand united with a slain officer and her colleagues in mourning.
"You can go from a dull eventful day, to fighting for your life," said Philadelphia Police Lt. John Stanford.
It was her first shift; her first day on the job. It would be Prince Williams County Officer Ashley Guindon's last.
Guindon was killed Saturday while responding to a domestic incident. Despite it happening in Virginia, yet officers in our region say it hits too close to home. "It was gut wrenching," said Superintendent Michael Chitwood of the Upper Darby Police.
"It touches everybody across the country," said Stanford.
Though separated by more than 100 miles, officers are standing with Guindon's colleagues through the power of social media. Law enforcement from the area has taken to Twitter and Facebook to share photos of themselves from one of their first days on the job. It is day full of nerves, but also one of promise.
"I'm 20-years-old walking out the door like I'm going to save the world," said Michael Chitwood.
Police say no matter how many days on the job, the loss is no less difficult and it's one that many agencies understand first hand.
"We're coming up on the one-year anniversary of losing one of our heroes, Robert Wilson III. That's something that seems fresh. You know where you were when you got the call, you know what you were doing. It's something that you really don't forget," said Stanford.
Colleagues of Guindon's have said she just wanted to help others. She didn't get the chance. She will never be able to report back to work. The larger purpose -- to protect and serve -- remains now in the hands of her brothers and sisters in blue.
Many officers say that domestic calls can be one of the most dangerous to respond to, but that any call could be the last. They added that the chilling understanding of that is just a part of the job.
