Christopher James Monica
Sergeant

Christopher James Monica

Felonious
End of Watch June 13, 2017
Age 42
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
The Vigil Panel 167 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sergeant Christopher Monica and Sergeant Curtis Billue were shot and killed after being attacked by two inmates in Putnam County, Georgia.

The officers were transporting 33 prisoners between Hancock State Prison and Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison at approximately 5:45 am. Two of the inmates attacked the officers as the transport bus drove along Route 16, between Eatonton and Sparta. One of the inmates was able to disarm one of the officers and then shot them both. The prisoners stole both officers' service weapons and carjacked a passing car before fleeing.

Both subjects fled the scene and remained at large for several days. On June 15th, 2017, they were captured in Rutherford County, Tennessee, following a vehicle pursuit in which they fired at two deputies. The men fled to a nearby home in an attempt to steal another vehicle but were captured by the homeowner and a neighbor, who held them at gunpoint until responding officers took them into custody.

One subject was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in June 2022. Shortly after the sentence, he committed suicide. The other was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Sergeant Monica had served with the Georgia Department of Corrections for eight years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two grandchildren, and sister.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-2E17B74F
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Monica gave the Georgia Department of Corrections 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Georgia. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Monica.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Atlanta, GA
Platform Identity gdcorr.fulton.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 13, 2017
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 42
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Sentenced to life; committed suicide

Sergeant Christopher James Monica 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Georgia Dept. of Corrections, 16 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.1% of this agency's fallen.

Georgia Dept. of Corrections
16
of 38 officers
42.1% Felonious
GA — Statewide
548
of 903 officers
60.7% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Christopher James Monica's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Christopher James Monica Compares

Age at End of Watch
42
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
8
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life; committed suicide

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Christopher James Monica is highlighted in Jun.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Christopher James Monica was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location