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Christopher Michael Burgert
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Christopher Burgert and Deputy Michael Van Kuren were shot and killed as they attempted to serve a warrant on Congdon Road near Laurel Hill Road.
They had responded to a private residence in Wells Township to serve an arrest warrant on a man for failing to appear in court to answer a minor charge. When the deputies arrived at the location, they were both shot and killed. Both officers were wearing their bullet-resistant vests but were stuck in areas not protected by the vest.
Two family members of the suspect were taken into custody at the scene. The suspect and another man who was at the scene during the incident fled. Both men were apprehended during a two-day manhunt. The shooter was convicted of murdering both deputies and sentenced to death.
Deputy Burgert was a Pennsylvania Air National Guard veteran and had served with the Bradford County Sheriff's Department for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Burgert gave the Bradford County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Towanda community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Christopher Michael Burgert served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bradford County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Christopher is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 3 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 2004, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2004, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 83rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Christopher was 30. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Christopher had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Christopher was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Christopher had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Christopher had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Bradford County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 4.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Bradford County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Christopher among them.
Where
Military Service
Christopher Michael Burgert served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Christopher Michael Burgert’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bradford County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
