Roll of Honor
Bernard L. Christopher
Incident
Detective Bernard Christopher was shot and killed when he attempted to stop a robbery while off-duty at 3:00 am. Detective Christoper was at the Star Grill at 472 Frankin Avenue, Mount Vernon, when a man armed with a 12-gauge shotgun entered the location and announced a robbery. Detective Christopher drew his revolver and exchanged gunfire with the suspect. Detective Christopher was struck in the chest and killed. An off-duty Police Officer from the New York City Police Department, who was also in the restaurant, pursued the suspect on foot and exchanged gunfire with him. That officer was slightly wounded and was unable to apprehend the suspect. Three weeks later, a 29-year-old drifter was arrested for stabbing a man to death in Harlem on May 13, 1974. A week later, he was charged with Detective Christopher's murder. On March 11, 1975, he was convicted of Detective Christopher's murder and sentenced to 20 years to life. He was also convicted of first-degree robbery and sentenced to 20 years to life to run concurrently with his other sentence. He died in prison on December 2, 2003. Detective Christopher was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Mount Vernon Police Department for ten years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-516B1C55- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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.
Detective Christopher gave the Mount Vernon Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Vernon community, and 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
Bernard L. Christopher served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Detective Bernard L. Christopher is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Mount Vernon Police Department, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bernard L. Christopher's cause is highlighted.
How Bernard L. Christopher Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced 20 years to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bernard L. Christopher is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bernard L. Christopher was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Mount Vernon Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
