Roll of Honor
Elmer Basco "Buddy" Christian, III
Incident
Senior Police Officer Buddy Christian was shot and killed while responding to an incident where another officer had been shot and wounded at an apartment complex on Sycamore Drive in Athens.
Multiple officers were investigating a carjacking and kidnapping incident when one officer stopped a vehicle owned by a relative of the carjacking suspect. The suspect exited the vehicle and shot and wounded the officer twice before fleeing on foot.
Officer Christian had just responded to the area when he encountered the suspect. The man shot and killed Officer Christian through the window of his patrol vehicle. He then fled the scene and remained at large until being apprehended three days later.
On July 27th, 2015, the 37-year-old suspect was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Senior Police Officer Christian is survived by his wife, two children, parents, and a brother.
Survivors
Senior Police Officer Christian is survived by his wife, two children, parents, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-A6BC4120- 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.
Senior Police Officer Christian served with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Senior Police Officer Christian.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Senior Police Officer Elmer Basco "Buddy" Christian, III 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 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 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elmer Basco "Buddy" Christian, III's cause is highlighted.
How Elmer Basco "Buddy" Christian, III Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elmer Basco "Buddy" Christian, III is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elmer Basco "Buddy" Christian, III was killed by handgun; .40 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Athens-Clarke County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.