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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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Riverside Police Department has lost 15 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Leonard is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Leonard is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leonard is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 2 officers at Riverside Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1971, 22 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Leonard was 30. Of the 14 killed feloniously at Riverside Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 35; the middle age was 32. Leonard had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Leonard was 30. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Leonard had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leonard was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Leonard had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leonard was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Leonard had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 14.3% of these deaths at Riverside Police Department; November holds the most, 14.3%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 93.3% of all 15 deaths at Riverside Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 3.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Riverside Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Leonard among them.
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John Baird
Dec 15, 1912
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Del MacIntyre
Jul 1, 1917
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Clinton Burtner
Dec 4, 1938
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Edward A. Bertino
Feb 3, 1940
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Arthur Simpson
Mar 5, 1944
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Leonard A. Christiansen
Apr 2, 1971
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Paul C. Teel
Apr 2, 1971
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William C. Prettyman
Dec 12, 1973
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Larry Eugene Walters
Nov 13, 1974
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Dennis Charles Doty
May 13, 1982
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Philip N. Trust
May 13, 1982
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Claire Nicole Carolyn Connelly
Jul 12, 1998
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Charles D. Jacobs, III
Jan 13, 2001
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Ryan Patrick Bonaminio
Nov 7, 2010
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Michael Daniel Crain
Feb 7, 2013
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Riverside Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
