Riverside Police Department, California
End of Watch: Friday, April 2, 1971
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 55
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 2, 1971
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Not available
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. He was survived by his wife and three children.