Christopher Fitzgerald, the Temple University police officer who was gunned down near campus over the weekend and left behind a wife and four children, was laid to rest on Friday.
At his funeral service, he was remembered as a loving father and "hero" public servant.
During the service he was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Fitzgerald was killed during an altercation near North 17th Street and Montgomery Avenue around 7 p.m. Saturday, Philadelphia officials said. Bucks County resident Miles Pfeffer was charged with murdering Fitzgerald and held in jail without bail.
Get top local stories in Philly delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC Philadelphia's News Headlines newsletter.
Beside his love for family and dedication to public service, Fitzgerald was an avid runner who helped promote physical fitness in minority and law enforcement communities.
Funeral Arrangements
A viewing for Sergeant Fitzgerald took place Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at John F. Givnish Funeral Home at 10975 Academy Rd. in Northeast Philadelphia. A crowd of mourners stood in solidarity with close family members and police officers around the building.
Another viewing was held on Friday, Feb 24 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 1723 Race Street in Center City. The funeral service began around 11:30 a.m.
Immediately following the service, Fitzgerald was laid to rest at Forest Hills Cemetery at 101 Byberry Rd. in Huntingdon Valley.
A Family in Law Enforcement
Fitzgerald followed his parents into law enforcement. His father, Dr. Joel Fitzgerald, was once a police chief in the Allentown Police Department and his mother, Pauline, once worked with the Philadelphia Police Department. They both still work in law enforcement, with Joel Fitzgerald currently leading the RTD in Denver, Colorado.
Fitzgerald, 31, began his career in law enforcement at just 19, his family said. He started his career as a corrections officer before becoming a police officer.
“RTD is deeply saddened to learn about the tragic and unimaginable loss of Chief Fitzgerald’s son Christopher, a police officer, who was killed in the line of duty,” the transportation agency said in a statement to the Denver Post. “We send our deepest condolences to the entire Fitzgerald family and all those mourning Christopher.”
Christopher Fitzgerald was a married father of four children, the youngest just 7 years old. Family members said he had just come back from his birthday vacation shortly before his killing.
He was working overtime and planned to take his kids out for pancakes Sunday morning, reported NBC10's Karen Hua.
Temple University Lends a Helping Hand
The Temple University Police Association set up an online fundraiser to raise money for Fitzgerald's wife and kids. Temple University President Dr. Jason Wingard, who attended Thursday's viewing, also announced the school would pay for Officer Fitzgerald's funeral and provide tuition remission for his children should they attend Temple University.
Dr. Wingard said he was “heartbroken” and called Fitzgerald's shooting “a gut-wrenching reminder of our police officers’ daily bravery and sacrifices to protect our students, faculty, staff and community” as the city and the nation deal with “an unprecedented epidemic of violence.”
A Fallen 'Hero'
There was a growing memorial to Fitzgerald at the intersection where he was killed. "Hero" was written on a sign at the memorial.
"To sacrifice himself for me and all the other Temple students," Temple student John Breen said while visiting the memorial. "I encourage all Temple students to come out, just to say a prayer."
One of the many police officers paying respect to Fitzgerald at the memorial said he "became a cop for all the right reasons."
Temple University officials said Fitzgerald joined the university police force in October 2021.
"Officer Fitzgerald gave his life protecting the temple community and we are forever indebted to him, the TUPA tweeted. "He valiantly served the temple community and the people of Philadelphia."
Fitzgerald was the first line-of-duty death in the history of the campus police department, a university official said.
“Officer Fitzgerald gave his life to selflessly serve and defend this community,” Jennifer Griffin, the university's vice president for public safety, said in a statement. “This loss leaves an enormous hole in all of our hearts. He was a father, a husband, a son, a colleague, and a friend.”
Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox.
“We join law enforcement and people across the region in expressing our heartbreak and outrage over this horrific crime," Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a prepared statement. "Officer Fitzgerald’s life was ripped from him and his loved ones violently and senselessly."
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered all flags to be lowered to half-staff in Fitzgerald's honor.
A Love for Running, Inspiring Others
Fitzgerald was part of Black Men Run in Philadelphia, a group that promotes physical fitness among Black men. He also volunteered for the Hood2Hood running group, which raises awareness about gun violence and how to combat it.
"He was always with us 100% of the way," Leroi Miles said. "You didn't see a lot of young men his age come out and do what we were doing. To have him out there that brought more young folks out, behind him, to follow in his footsteps."
Fitzgerald's accused killer remains jailed, facing murder charges.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.
