Vicky Armel made a life-changing decision about two years ago, and she wanted everyone to know it.
“She kept a picture of her baptism on her desk. She was excited about her faith,” reports her pastor, Mark Jenkins, pastor of Mountain View Community Church where Vicky was a member. Mountain View is a Baptist General Association of Virginia congregation located in Culpeper.
“She was on fire for the Lord,” said Julie Higdon, part of a home-based Bible study with Armel in Jeffersonton. “You could see the enthusiasm and life in her eyes” Jenkins affirmed.
Tragically, Armel, an outgoing mother of two young children and a resident of the Quail Ridge subdivision in northern Culpeper County, was killed Monday, May 8, in Chantilly when a gunman opened fire on the Sully District police station. A second police officer was wounded and later died as a result of his injuries.
Her journey to faith began when coworkers on the police force began talking with her about spiritual matters and suggested things to read. She attended Mountain View for the first time on Easter Sunday two years ago and soon after accepted Christ as her Savior. “She was a detective” Jenkins said. “She approached faith like she would approach a crime scene. She looked at all the evidence and came to the conclusion that she needed to become a Christian. On Easter Sunday a year ago, she shared her testimony with the congregation. The words of her testimony on that Easter Sunday were as if they had been spoken to be used at her funeral, they were so appropriate.”
Mark DeCourcey, assistant pastor at Mountain View, added, “It was fairly new to her, which is what made her so exciting to be around. The new relationship with Christ was just energizing to her.”
She was a nine-year veteran of the Fairfax County Police Department where her husband, Tyler, is also a police officer. Armel leaves behind a 4-year-old daughter, Masen, and a 7-year-old son, Thomas. “She was probably one of the nicest people you'll ever want to know,” said church member Kim Elias. “Great mom.”
Church members say Armel performed several behind-the-scenes roles such as painting, planning a family retreat, folding bulletins, making decorations and doing administrative tasks.
“Knowing that she had given her life to Chirst,” DeCourcey said, “that's something we'll be able to celebrate soon once we get through the shock and the loss.”
Her life continues to speak to others about her faith. During the funeral service, attended by members of the police force, the community and the church, a copy of Lee Strobel's book, A Case for Easter, was given to every mourner. “Since her funeral, we are literally watching a spiritual tsunami among the police and fire and rescue workers,” reported Jenkins. “This is a term that came from one of the district offices, not mine. People are literally walking in off the street to talk to pastors about how to get saved. I am getting emails from the pastors. People are saying ‘We want to hear the story.' ”
The pastor went on to speak of Vicky's love for her family. “Vicky's main prayer was for her family and coworkers.”
Religious Herald editor Jim White contributed to this story.