[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 2926-2927]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING OFFICER ASHLEY GUINDON

  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, people across the Washington area were 
saddened by the death of Officer Ashley Guindon, slain in the line of 
duty just one day after being sworn into the Prince William County 
Police Department in Virginia. This brave police officer is also being 
mourned in New Hampshire, especially in her hometown of Merrimack, 
where the law enforcement community considers her one of their own. As 
Merrimack Police Chief Mark Doyle said: ``When any law enforcement 
officer is struck down, it leaves a hole in our hearts. The fact that 
she and her family are part of the Merrimack community drives that 
point home even more so.''
  Ashley was the only child of Sharon and the late David Guindon, a 
Navy veteran who also served in the Marine Corps Reserve and later the 
New Hampshire National Guard. After graduating from Merrimack High in 
2005, she followed in her father's footsteps by joining the Marine 
Corps Reserve. Ashley loved flying and went on to earn a bachelor's 
degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical 
University in Florida and later a master's degree in forensic science. 
As a Marine Reservist for 6 years, she flew helicopters and used her 
forensic skills to assist the Mortuary Affairs Office.
  Ashley had a passion for public service and was always eager to help 
people in need. She volunteered with a suicide prevention program and 
regularly spent Thanksgiving helping out at a soup kitchen. She is 
fondly remembered by teachers and classmates at Merrimack High as 
exceptionally kind and friendly and as the talented leader of the 
Merrimack Cardinals cheerleading team.
  As a newly sworn-in police officer, Ashley was struck down while 
coming to the assistance of a woman who was being threatened by her 
husband. ``She has accomplished more in 28 years than I think I could 
in 100,'' Prince William County Police Chief Stephan Hudson told The 
Washington Post. ``That was her desire: to serve, to be involved with 
things that mattered, to give her life to something worth giving it to. 
And that's exactly what she did.''
  In New Hampshire as in Virginia, the loss of a police officer is felt 
deeply in the local community and far beyond. We know that the work of 
law enforcement professionals is difficult and dangerous. They perform 
their duties with

[[Page 2927]]

great professionalism and selflessness, putting their lives on the line 
every day.
  Ashley Guindon worked and studied hard to become a superbly qualified 
law enforcement professional. She was proud to wear the badge and to be 
a police officer. She gave her life in the line of duty, coming to the 
assistance of a stranger. I join with so many others in the Granite 
State and across the Washington area in expressing my respect and 
admiration for this remarkable young woman and my deep condolences to 
Sharon Guindon and the entire family. I know how proud they are of 
Ashley. We are all proud of Ashley. She was America at its finest.

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