Harrisburg Police Bureau, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Tuesday, April 18, 1978
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 11 years, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 18, 1978
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Detective Corporal John Christian was shot and killed while moonlighting as a uniformed security officer at a Beer Distributor at 8:30 pm. He was informed of a robbery in progress in the Beer Distributors grocery store area and was shot and killed as he approached the robbery suspects outside as they were leaving the store. He was taken to Harrisburg Hospital where he died of his wounds three hours later.
The 33-year-old suspect was apprehended in Trenton, New Jersey three days later. When Trenton and Harrisburg police officers raided his girlfriend's apartment they shot and seriously wounded him when he opened fire on them. The suspect was found guilty of First Degree Murder, four armed robberies, and sentenced to life plus four 10 to 20 year terms.
Detective Corporal Christian was a U.S Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Harrisburg Police Bureau for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.