Prev
Christopher David Fitzgerald
Incident
Sergeant Chris Fitzgerald was shot and killed while struggling with a suspect near 1700 W Montgomery Street in Philadelphia at about 7:30 pm.
Sergeant Fitzgerald was patrolling the area when he saw three masked individuals in dark clothing standing in an area where several robberies had recently occurred. As he exited his patrol car to speak to them, all three fled on foot. He pursued one of the subjects and began to struggle with him in the 1700 block of W Montgomery Street. The man produced a handgun and shot Sergeant Fitzgerald multiple times.
The subject then attempted to steal Sergeant Fitzgerald's duty weapon, belongings, and patrol car before carjacking a citizen several blocks away. Sergeant Fitzgerald was transported to Temple University Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The man who shot him was arrested at his home in Bucks County early the next morning. In 2025, he was found guilty of murder of a law enforcement officer, robbery, and gun crimes and sentenced to life without parole, plus decades for robbery.
Sergeant Fitzgerald had served with the Temple University Police Department for 16 months and previously served with the Philadelphia County Sheriff's Office for two and a half years. He also served with the Sugar Land Police Department (Texas) and as a Lehigh County Corrections Officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four children, mother, father, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp6n9x1tqq4emn5k74ty- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Christopher. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Fitzgerald gave the Temple University Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Fitzgerald.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Christopher is the only officer of Temple University Police Department remembered here.
Christopher is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2023, 5 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 2023, 61 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2023, 68 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Christopher was 31. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Christopher had served 11.7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Christopher was 31. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Christopher had served 11.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Christopher had served 11.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Temple University Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Temple University Police Department are honored on badge.nw.