by Jeremy Christensen

On May 8, 2006, 18 year-old Michael Kennedy dressed in camouflage clothing, kneepads, a ski mask, and a vest loaded with ammunition. He then stole a white van from his Centerville, VA neighborhood.

At 3:52 PM, Detective Vicky O. Armel and Master Police Officer Michael E. Garbarino exited the rear of the Sully District Station of the Fairfax County Virginia Police Department and walked to their vehicles parked in separate areas of the parking lot. As the officers were walking to their cars, Michael Kennedy drove his stolen van into the unsecured rear parking lot, exited, and opened fire on MPO Garbarino, who was sitting in his unmarked police cruiser. MPO Garbarino was hit, but continued to radio information to responding officers. As Kennedy was firing on MPO Garbarino, Detective Armel was able to attract the attention of Kennedy, firing seven shots from her 9mm handgun. Kennedy then directed his attack towards Armel, striking her in the chest with a 30-06 round, piercing Detective Armel’s body armor.

Kennedy was later killed by two responding officers from neighboring Mount Vernon Station. Detective Armel died later that day, and MPO Garbarino succumbed to his wounds nine days later. Both officers were awarded gold medals of valor for their actions on that day.

The Omaha Police Department Safety Committee recently studied the security measures in place at the Northeast and Southeast Assemblies. The Safety Committee found that the security to the rear parking lots was drastically insufficient. The lots are totally unsecured without even a sign barring unauthorized personnel from entering the lot. Our vehicle maintenance facilities have more security than the rear lots of our Assemblies. Every officer on the job probably has a story about a disturbance that rolled into the back lot, or a stolen vehicle being deposited next to an officer’s personal vehicle.

The Safety Committee, per the Union contract, has forwarded a recommendation to the Chief of Police and the Mayor’s Office that controlled access gates be installed to the parking lots to greatly increase security to these areas. The Committee has recommended that entry to the gates be gained by an officer’s key chip, similar to the system used at OPD Central Station. The Safety Committee is awaiting a response from Chief Warren, and hopefully these gates will be implemented in the very near future.

Until such time, the Safety Committee encourages all officers to remain vigilant while loading and unloading cruisers. Officers should question any unknown individuals in the parking lots and report any suspicious activity. I will keep you updated as we await Chief Warren’s recommendations. As always, if you have any safety concerns, please bring them to the attention of a Safety Committee member.

The current members are Jeremy Christensen, Mitch Robinson, Amy Oetter, Greg Hamill, Dave Staskiewicz, and Mary Kirchofer.

Remember to stay vigilant.

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