PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An emotional vigil Tuesday, featuring several speakers including grieving family, honored the life of fallen Temple University police Officer Chris Fitzgerald.
So many fellow officers, Temple students and staff, and members of the public gathered at the campus’ iconic bell tower to support Fitzgerald’s family that there was no space to move around the lawn surrounding the tower.
Fitzgerald was killed Saturday night near the corner of North Bouvier Street and West Montgomery Avenue when 18-year-old Miles Pfeffer fired several shots, striking Fitzgerald.
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“I lost my best friend, my soulmate, the father of my beautiful kids,” said his wife, Marissa Fitzgerald. “My family will never be the same. I will never be the same. I pray for all of your safety.”
Through tears she honored her husband, reminiscing on happy memories and saying he was so proud to be a Temple cop.
“Being a cop was his dream. It was his world and making sure that also his brothers and sisters were safe,” said Marissa.
“You did such a good job, baby. Your brothers and sisters and I will take it from here. You just rest, because we got you.”
Both of Fitzgerald’s parents work in law enforcement. His father, Joel, also took the podium.
“He had a servant's heart. Chris Fitzgerald did it better than I've ever done it,” said Joel, who is the chief of police and emergency management for the Denver-based Regional Transportation District and was chief of police in Allentown and Fort Worth, Texas.
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“For each of you students, for each of you faculty members that benefitted from guns being taken off the street, he did that for you. He did that at the peril of his life. He was murdered doing that for every student here. I would ask that now knowing that, you give back. Pay it forward.”
Shortly after the vigil wrapped up, a rainbow peaked through the storm clouds, next to the sun shining over the memorial.
Students call Chris Fitzgerald a “true hero”
Tuesday brought the first day back to classes for Temple students since Fitzgerald was killed, and many felt the poignancy of his death.
“It’s right in the middle of campus,” said Jordan, a sophomore. “We have to feel it.”
Jordan said she’s shaken because Fitzgerald was shot and killed near the corner where she and many of her friends live, work and hang out.
“It’s just a horrible tragedy,” said Trevor White, a junior who also spends much of his time on campus near that intersection. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of this happening before.”
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Fitzgerald was the first-ever Temple University police officer to be killed in the line of duty. White said the shooting alarms him more than ever.
Connor, a sophomore, said it all just hits too close to home.
“When all this happened, I was at work just down the street,” said Connor. “He gave up his life, and I admire that.”
Maxwell, also a sophomore, said Fitzgerald truly honored his badge and paid the ultimate sacrifice, and he’s keeping the officer's family in prayer.
“It’s been really sad. May God be with his family, his four children, his wife and all he’s left behind,” said Maxwell.
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He said he hopes the legacy of the officer will be one of growth for the entire community.
“His unfortunate death can lead the way to future safety, not just for students but for officers themselves,” said Maxwell.
“Every time you put that badge on, you’re a target to someone out there, and it’s just sad but he’s a true hero.”
Fitzgerald’s death comes after numerous shootings, home invasions, and other attacks on students have happened around the campus since last March. At that time, a student survey revealed how students felt much less safe walking the campus at night compared to during the day.
Student Sam Collington was also shot and killed near the campus in November 2021.