This section is dedicated
to those Chapter Members
that have transferred to
the Blue Knights® Heaven-I Chapter
STEPHEN F. PIAKOWSKI, JR |
Stephen "Steve" F. Piaskowski Jr., 52, of Stafford, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. He was born in Germany on June 12, 1968 to parents Stephen F. Piaskowski Sr. and Sharon (Parnell) Piaskowski.
Steve graduated from Osbourn Park High School and later earned a degree in Criminal Justice. Steve worked for 27 years with the Prince William County Police Department, receiving a Prince William County Police Association Unit Award and County Executive Awards in 2008 and 2011 for his work in the community. In 1992, Steve met his future wife Theresa, who also worked for the county police department as a dispatcher. They were married in October of 1994 and were blessed with one daughter, Ashleigh who was born in 2007. Steve was a family man and enjoyed volunteering at his daughter's school, St William of York Catholic School (SWOY). He coached SWOY baseball and was involved in other school activities. Steve had many hobbies like golfing, hunting, and riding his motorcycle. One of his favorite excursions was taking yearly hunting trips to Pennsylvania with his father and other family members. He was very fond of traveling, the beach being a favorite place to spend time relaxing with his family. Since his retirement he joined the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club and often enjoyed traveling around Virginia with his buddies. Survivors include his parents, Stephen F. Piaskowski Sr., and Sharon (Parnell) Piaskowski; as well as his sister, Cathy (Piaskowski) O'niel; his wife, Theresa (Angelotta) Piaskowski; and his daughter, Ashleigh. |
JOHN GARRETT MORFORD of Sparta, TN |
Completed his journey of faith Friday, February 22, 2013 at his dream home overlooking the lake in Sparta after a long illness. Garrett was born on July 6, 1950 in Pensacola, FL to the late John G. and Freida Stock Morford.
After retiring as a Louisiana State Trooper, he recently retired again after 23 years of service from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a division of the Department of Transportation, where he was committed to upholding the mission of "saving lives, preventing injuries, and reducing vehicle-related crashes." He is survived by his wife of 26 years Katherine McGittigan Morford; sister Janice Morford of Germantown, TN; in-laws Terrance J. and Frances McGittigan of Baton Rouge, LA; brother-in-laws William J. McGittigan (Raquel) of Decatur, GA, Thomas J. McGittigan (Anne) of Kingwood, TX, and David McGittigan (Sonja) of Germantown, TN; and beloved, special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael C. Morford. Garrett was a graduate of the University of Louisiana - Lafayette, a proud member of the Blue Knights Virginia-II International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, past president and treasurer of the Washington/Baltimore Rajin Cajun Club, and a Mason. A special thank you to all of the doctors and nurses that cared for Garrett during his illness. |
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Second Lieutenant Frank Stecco Biographical Info Cause of Death: Drowning (Training) |
Lieutenant Frank Stecco drowned while participating in a helicopter water rescue training scenario in Pohick Bay Regional Park.
He had entered the water wearing only a dry suit, to role play a victim, but failed to resurface. An intense search was immediately initiated. Divers located him on October 25, 2008, approximately 100 feet from where he was last seen. Lieutenant Stecco had served with the Fairfax County Police Department for 19 years and was assigned to the Youth Services Division. He is survived by his wife, three children, and mother. |
Al Tennant, Virginia–II member since 2001 |
Obituary: Albert William Tennant, 63, of Brunswick, Georgia, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday October 18th after a brief illness. He was born August 20, 1944 in Miami, Florida. Al worked for the government for some 32 years, in addition to his honorable service in the U.S. Army. He retired in 1999 from the U.S. Customs Service after a career that saw him rise from an Inspector to a Senior Executive. A l settled in Brunswick in 2003 where he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Brunswick Kiwanis International chapter, and active in the Oak Grove Island Yacht Club, the Humane Society and the American Red Cross. He enjoyed playing golf, riding his motorcycle, traveling with his wife and plying the waters of coastal Georgia in their boat. He is survived by his mother Ida Metcalf of Brunswick, wife Marie Bauer of Brunswick, daughters Laura Tennant of Universal City, TX, Denise Tennant of Spotsylvania, VA and Patricia Tennant of Falls Church, VA, as well as many friends. |
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Master Police Officer Michael E. Garbarino Biographical Info Cause of Death: Gunfire |
The suspect had carjacked a van moments earlier and drove into the police station's back parking lot. The suspect exited the vehicle and opened fire with an AK-47 rifle on Master Police Officer Michael Garbarino, who was sitting in his patrol car, striking him five times.
Detective Armel, who was also in the parking lot, immediately engaged the suspect and exchanged shots with the man. She was fatally wounded during the exchange. Several officers who responded to the parking lot also exchanged shots with him, killing him. In addition to the AK-47 rifle, the suspect was armed with five handguns and a hunting rifle. Detective Armel and the Master Police Officer Garbarino were flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital by members of the agency's Helicopter Division. Master Police Officer Garbarino remained in critical condition for 9 days before succumbing to his wounds. Investigation revealed that the 18-year-old suspect had been arrested by Fairfax County police officers two weeks earlier for a carjacking he had committed in Montgomery County, Maryland. Detective Armel had served with the Fairfax County Police Department for 9 years and had previously served with the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office for 8 years. She is survived by her son, a daughter, and her husband, who also serves as an officer with the agency. Master Police Officer Garbarino had served with the Fairfax County Police Department for 23 years. He is survived by his wife, two children, parents, and sister. |
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Detective Vicky Anne Owen Armel Biographical Info Cause of Death: Gunfire |
