Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Christiansen and Officer Paul Teel were shot and killed when they were ambushed. They were responding to fake call placed by the suspects reporting a burglary at an abandoned house. The suspects laid in wait and opened fire on the officers with shotguns, killing them both. The suspects were charged in connection with the murders but the trial ended in a hung jury. Officer Christiansen had served with the agency for 5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-44F598FB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Christiansen gave the Riverside Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Riverside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Christiansen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Leonard A. Christiansen is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Riverside Police Department, 14 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 93.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leonard A. Christiansen's cause is highlighted.
How Leonard A. Christiansen Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leonard A. Christiansen is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leonard A. Christiansen was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Riverside Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
