William F. Christman

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch October 8, 1956

Age 38

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

Badge 951

The Vigil Panel 92 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Detective Christman was shot and killed after having an argument with another man, while off-duty. Detective Christman was off duty when he and another detective got into an argument with a man over the New York Yankees - Brooklyn Dodgers World Series. After the argument, the suspect went to his home, retrieved a .30 caliber Winchester rifle and shot and killed Detective Christman. The suspect then returned home and went to sleep. The suspect was arrest later that day and charged with murder. Detective Christman had served with the New York City Police Department for 13 years and was assigned to the 92nd Detective Squad, the present day 94th Detective Squad.

Survivors

Detective Christman was survived by his wife and five children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-B29A9F93
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.
Detective Christman gave the New York City Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Christman.

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

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 8, 1956

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

Age 38

Badge Number 951

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle; .30 caliber

Offender Charged with murder

Detective William F. Christman 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 New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

382

of 1,237 officers

30.9% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious