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View Full Version : ACCPD SPO Buddy Christian EOW 03/22/2011



VolGrad
03-22-2011, 07:29 PM
SPO Christian was killed in the line of duty today responding to an officer down after SPO Tony Howard was shot by a carjacking/kidnapping suspect. SPO Howard is in critical condition after emergency surgery but is expected to recover.

The suspect is a convicted felon released in 2009 after serving 11 years in prison for armed robbery. His family is "known for violence" by the local PD. His brother was killed by an ACCPD officer in 2001 after pointing a firearm at an officer during an altercation. His other brothers and father have had their own run-ins with the law.

The suspect is still at large. He has been spotted several times already. Officers are combing the area on the ground, with K9s, and from the air. Neighboring agencies are assisting as are state and federal authorities.

Please pray for the families of the wounded/killed officers. Please pray for those still out looking for the suspect. Please pray for our community. A lot of folks will be sleeping with one eye open tonight. The boys in blue won't be sleeping at all. God bless them.

http://www.odmp.org/officer/20791-senior-police-officer-elmer-(buddy)-christian


Senior Police Officer Elmer (Buddy) Christian
Athens-Clarke County Police Department
Georgia
End of Watch: Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: At large

Senior Police Officer Elmer Christian was shot and killed while responding to a carjacking incident where another officer had been shot and wounded. The other officer was shot after performing a traffic stop where the suspect exited the vehicle and opened fire before fleeing on foot.

Officer Christian had just responded to the area when he encountered the suspect, who shot Officer Christian while he was still in his patrol vehicle.

Senior Police Officer Christian is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, his parents, and two brothers.

Kyle Reese
03-22-2011, 07:31 PM
RIP Brother. Prayers inbound....

ToddG
03-22-2011, 07:44 PM
Lo there, do I see my father.
Lo there do I see my mother and my sister and my brothers.
Lo there I do see the line of my people back to the beginning.
Lo they do call to me. They bid me to take my place among them
in the hallowed halls of Valhalla
where the brave shall live forever.

SecondsCount
03-22-2011, 08:04 PM
Prayers sent for a full recovery of Officer Howard and for the families of Officer Christian. It is sad day when a good guy goes down.

KentF
03-22-2011, 08:23 PM
Prayers sent

VolGrad
03-22-2011, 09:11 PM
SPO Howard will recover. News just interviewed his family and they said he was alert.

Suspect is still at large.

Prdator
03-22-2011, 09:21 PM
Prayers to all the Families!!!!!

and Hope the Boys in Blue find the Evil soon.

MD7305
03-22-2011, 09:25 PM
Prayers sent to SPO Christian's family and for the recovery of SPO Howard. I went to two services for deputies killed last week. It is a tragic experience.

jlw
03-24-2011, 10:26 PM
I work in the county just to the south of where this took place. I didn't know SPO Christian all that well. Earlier in my career, I crossed paths with SPO Howard on several occasions, and he is the real deal. I hope for a speedy and full recovery for him.

We crossed the river and joined in on the manhunt as soon as we got word of the shooting and have been with them ever since. I was out late Tuesday night and about 17 hours yesterday. I had to take care of some pressing issues in our shop today, but we had a full element with them. We will keep a team with them for as long as they need us, and we will be assisting with the services for Buddy.

The suspect is bad news. He is a suspect in a car jacking and kidnapping from earlier in the day on Tuesday prior to ambushing Tony and Buddy. He then carjacked another victim to make his escape. He has previously done time in prison for armed robbery.

He had a brother killed a few years ago in a shootout with an ACCPD officer.

VolGrad
03-25-2011, 06:35 AM
... and the pathetic part is the armed robbery got him 12 years and $3 from a pizza delivery guy.

Chief ... I know they were glad to have your guys out. I was listening to the scanner all day Tuesday and heard your K9 a lot. It sounded like he in particular was of big service. His pic is on the front page of the print edition of ABH today. My K9 neighbor was in the AJC yesterday.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/non%20gun/SPOChristianbadge.jpg

Wheeler
03-25-2011, 04:32 PM
New Conference pending within the hour, sounds like they have him in custody but not sure yet.

Wheeler

VolGrad
03-25-2011, 04:46 PM
New Conference pending within the hour, sounds like they have him in custody but not sure yet.

Wheeler

Director of GBI has confirmed the rat is currently holding hostages. He is supposed to be negotiating his surrender. We'll see.

EDIT: News just reported 9 hostages being held, including at least one infant.

Wheeler
03-25-2011, 08:34 PM
Director of GBI has confirmed the rat is currently holding hostages. He is supposed to be negotiating his surrender. We'll see.

EDIT: News just reported 9 hostages being held, including at least one infant.

FBI has taken over negotiations as of an hour ago.

VolGrad
03-25-2011, 08:37 PM
Now stating 8 hostages but 4 have been released, including the two children.

jlw
03-26-2011, 12:57 AM
The suspect is in custody. Our guys were heavily involved in the days events, and we are very proud of their performance, but we still have the solemn duty of laying SPO Christian to rest, and a very good man in SPO Howard is still in the hospital.

VolGrad
03-26-2011, 07:53 AM
The suspect is in custody. Our guys were heavily involved in the days events, and we are very proud of their performance, but we still have the solemn duty of laying SPO Christian to rest, and a very good man in SPO Howard is still in the hospital.

We'll be lining the procession route tomorrow, prob near the cemetery so the kids can see the horse drawn caisson.

If you need anything Chief .....

Oscar 319
03-26-2011, 01:51 PM
RIP Officer Christian.

My condolences to his family and all who knew him, especially his friends and co-workers.

I wish they would have ferreted out the f***ing coward murderer from his hiding spot with a flame thrower.

VolGrad
03-27-2011, 05:07 PM
Just got home from watching the procession go past. ACCPD asked citizens to like the 6 mile trek from the funeral service to the cemetery. I have no idea what the rest of the route looked like but the entrance to the cemetery had a great turnout. It was surely a sight to see.

The Chief will surely be along in a bit to chime in on what it looked like from his POV in the procession.

I have pics but am not sure what the protocol is on posting pic of a funeral procession. It was quite moving though.

Wheeler
03-27-2011, 06:31 PM
Just got home from watching the procession go past. ACCPD asked citizens to like the 6 mile trek from the funeral service to the cemetery. I have no idea what the rest of the route looked like but the entrance to the cemetery had a great turnout. It was surely a sight to see.

The Chief will surely be along in a bit to chime in on what it looked like from his POV in the procession.

I have pics but am not sure what the protocol is on posting pic of a funeral procession. It was quite moving though.

I think any photos of the procession, carriage, honor guard would be more than appropriate to post, within the guidelines of the forum. Photos of the breaved/next of kin are usually considered bad form.

Wheeler

VolGrad
03-27-2011, 06:44 PM
I have nothing of "people" ... just the procession. I'll upload some in a bit and post a few. It was really moving and honestly I feel it is an honor to share them. I do so with the utmost respect.

VolGrad
03-27-2011, 07:31 PM
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/SPO%20Chrisian/438100b8.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/SPO%20Chrisian/84816d14.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/SPO%20Chrisian/ea2bb9c7.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/SPO%20Chrisian/9e557f73.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/SPO%20Chrisian/a7535a56.jpg

VolGrad
03-27-2011, 07:31 PM
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/SPO%20Chrisian/72adce60.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/SPO%20Chrisian/c8f7fdee.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/SPO%20Chrisian/b8cc617d.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd208/volgrad/SPO%20Chrisian/c0b43692.jpg

Wheeler
03-27-2011, 08:06 PM
I have nothing of "people" ... just the procession. I'll upload some in a bit and post a few. It was really moving and honestly I feel it is an honor to share them. I do so with the utmost respect.

I didn't mean to imply that you were paprazzi, on disrespectful. I apologize if I came across that way.

I spent a year on the Scott AFB Honor Guard way back when. I joined thinking I was going to be carrying flags in parades and doing high speed close order drill, come to find out, 98% of what we did was funerals. Anything from carry a flag out to full military honors, including one that included the Missing Man Formation/fly-by.

I say all that not to brag, but hopefully to share the deep and profound respect I have for these types of funerals. I think you took some great pictures, which were very tastful given the nature of the subject matter. Thank you for sharing.

Wheeler

VolGrad
03-28-2011, 06:47 AM
I didn't mean to imply that you were paprazzi, on disrespectful. I apologize if I came across that way.

I think you took some great pictures, which were very tastful given the nature of the subject matter. Thank you for sharing.

Wheeler

I didn't take it that way at all bro. No worries. I honestly wasn't sure what the etiquette was on pics. It was an honor to be there. It was especially moving as I have friends with this and neighboring departments. Many were in the line of traffic. You could see the pain on their faces. You could feel it in the air but at the same time you could feel the pride of our community. It made me feel good because it generally feels this town has contempt for the LE community, no appreciation. I was glad yesterday was different.

A really low point to report; Many held flags as the procession passed. The Patriot Guard Riders passed a bunch more out. A lady standing down a bit from us I guess decided it was too much to hold them the entire time and had laid two small flags on the ground. She was actually standing on part of them. I looked down at some point and noticed it. I was actually looking to make sure my child hadn't let hers drop low enough to touch the ground. I saw the flags on the ground and immediately asked my child to go pick them up off the ground ... I couldn't get to them for the crowd. My child was knealing/standing in the very front. She went over and picked them up and handed them to the lady who immediately realized she had been scolded by a 7yo. I was very upset but chose not to say anything so as not to cause a scene and distract from the reason we were there. :mad:

From the local paper ...

http://athenscms.com/oa/zenphoto/032711-athens-police-officer-christian-funeral/

http://spotted.onlineathens.com/galleries/index.php?id=420283

jlw
03-28-2011, 09:39 AM
Supposedly, there were 81 motors and 835 patrol cars in the procession along with 9 transit buses for other folks.

VolGrad
03-28-2011, 09:47 AM
Supposedly, there were 81 motors and 835 patrol cars in the procession along with 9 transit buses for other folks.

I don't doubt that one bit. The motors were pretty awesome to see getting things started.

By the time the buses passed my kid had given out from fatigue and cold so we were leaving. I will say this it seems we stood there for at least 45 minutes AFTER the body passed and the patrol cars were still coming steady. It was seriously impressive. I wondered where they were putting them all in the cemetery until I finally saw some of the sneaking out the other entrance further up.

I would have loved to have been close to see the graveside but felt that was better left for the family and friends. We didn't want to intrude.

DrDave
03-28-2011, 11:55 AM
Prayers from across the ocean. May Officer Christian rest in peace. Prayers for Officer Howard's quick recovery.

It is incredibly touching to see the community lining the streets to honour the life of someone who made the ultimate sacrifice for their safety. Never seen that before

jlw
03-28-2011, 12:40 PM
I think it is important to note that SPO Howard is still with us with a long recovery ahead of him. Let's not forget about him.

VolGrad
03-28-2011, 12:43 PM
I think it is important to note that SPO Howard is still with us with a long recovery ahead of him. Let's not forget about him.

I was actually thinking that same thing earlier today. Have you heard about any fundraisers or anything for Howard? If so, let me know.

jlw
03-28-2011, 03:05 PM
I was actually thinking that same thing earlier today. Have you heard about any fundraisers or anything for Howard? If so, let me know.

I'm in contact with some ACCPD folks now about some events for Tony.

LittleLebowski
03-28-2011, 03:15 PM
Let us not forget (http://www.facebook.com/OurFallen).

jlw
03-28-2011, 03:59 PM
There will be a cookout to raise money for Tony on 4/10 from 1200-until at Howard's Paint and Body shop on Broad Street.

VolGrad
03-28-2011, 04:45 PM
There will be a cookout to raise money for Tony on 4/10 from 1200-until at Howard's Paint and Body shop on Broad Street.

I'll see you there. We can bring the families if you want and introduce them finally.

ACCPD just put out a press release SPO Howard has been released from the hospital. Pretty good news for someone that was shot in the face. Excellent news.

VolGrad
10-03-2011, 06:31 AM
Here's a very heart warming follow-up to a tragic story of a lost LEO.

Our community has really gone the distance to take care of the family of SPO Christian and to help out the wounded officer, SPO Howard. There have been countless fundraising events for each officer. This story is the best yet IMO, worth a read. In short, some folks in the home building industry decided to make the dream of the lost officer's family come true.

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/100311/new_894011186.shtml

Update on SPO Howard; I believe I read recently he was going back to modified duty soon, if not already. jlweems might have more info if he sees this post.

VolGrad
10-11-2011, 06:50 AM
Wounded officer back to work 6 months after being shot.

http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2011-10-11/athen-clarke-officer-back-work-six-months-after-he-was-shot