Temple officer Chris Fitzgerald's funeral in Philadelphia

CBS News Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia came together Friday for a final tribute to a fallen hero.

At the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, officers, loved ones and members of the public are honoring Temple University police officer Christopher Fitzgerald, who was killed in the line of duty last Saturday night.

The procession arrived at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on 1723 Race Street in Center City shortly after 7 a.m. A viewing was held there from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Gov. Josh Shapiro began a eulogy and offered condolences to Fitzgerald's family on behalf of the state.

The funeral will start at 12 p.m.

A large turnout at the funeral is expected with officers from throughout the Delaware Valley expected to attend.

Fitzgerald was more than just a dedicated law enforcement officer. He was a husband and father of four who will be missed by many.

Fitzgerald was killed at 17th Street and Montgomery Avenue in North Philadelphia, just off Temple University's campus.

Investigators say he was trying to stop a robbery when he was shot by 18-year-old Miles Pfeffer.

Pfeffer has been charged with murder and other offenses.

Hundreds gathered Thursday night at John F. Givnish Funeral Home in Northeast Philadelphia for Fitzgerald's viewing.

 

Funeral service for Temple police officer Christopher Fitzgerald

Watch the full livestream of the funeral service for Temple police officer Christopher Fitzgerald.

By CBS News Philadelphia Staff
 

State Rep. Amen Brown speaks at Chris Fitzgerald's funeral

State Rep. Amen Brown speaks at Officer Christopher Fitzgerald's funeral
By CBS News Philadelphia Staff
 

Sheriff Bilal reads Resolution to the Family at Officer Chris Fitzgerald's funeral


Sheriff Rochelle Bilal reads Resolution to the Family at Officer Chris Fitzgerald's funeral

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this blog post named the Resolution of the Family as a psalm. We profusely apologize for the error.

By CBS News Philadelphia Staff
 

Late Sgt. Chris Fitzgerald's uncle, Pastor Juan Marrero, speaks at funeral

Late Sgt. Chris Fitzgerald's uncle, Pastor Juan Marrero, speaks at funeral
By CBS News Philadelphia Staff
 

Fitzgerald posthumously promoted to sergeant

Jennifer Griffin, Temple University VP of public safety, speaks at fallen officer's funeral

At the funeral services for fallen Temple police officer Christopher Fitzgerald, Temple University officials said Fitzgerald was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant.

"So as a tribute to Officer Fitzgerald for his dedicated service to Temple University, we have officially posthumously promoted him to the rank of sergeant," Temple vice president for public safety Jennifer Griffin said. "I'm confident that Sgt. Fitzgerald will continue to inspire his colleagues and those who didn't personally know him but will hear the stories."

"I think it is fitting that Sgt. Christopher David Fitzgerald took one last patrol through the streets of Temple University this morning," Griffin added. "Chris is physically gone, but his spirit, love and laughter will live on through all of us as we continue his legacy."

By Joe Holden
 

Sgt. Chris Fitzgerald's brother Joel speaks at funeral

Sgt. Chris Fitzgerald's brother Joel speaks at funeral
By CBS News Philadelphia Staff
 

Shapiro remembers Chris Fitzgerald as a "proud police officer"

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers eulogy for Temple officer Chris Fitzgerald

Chris Fitzgerald was a devoted public servant who was proud to be a police officer and set an example in the community he patrolled, Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a eulogy Friday.

"Christopher Fitzgerald was a proud police officer," Shapiro said. "The kind of police officer who distinctively understood that delicate balance between making the arrest and mentoring our youth. He keenly understood to make our streets safer meant believing in those who lived in these neighborhoods. Taking the time to understand them and making them truly accessible. He was an example of how it's supposed to be done."

Shapiro paid special note to the Temple staff present in the building and Fitzgerald's family.

"Officer Christopher Fitzgerald's senseless death has touched us all," Shapiro said, adding that Fitzgerald was a "true public servant."

"He wanted to make our city safe for everyone, he wanted to ensure that every kid had a chance."

"He had so much more to do, Chris did. His life was taken far too early," Shapiro said. "He had so much more to give, to do, to share with us. But Chris was on this Earth long enough to show us the way he was."

Shapiro said Fitzgerald's death "touched us all."

"Officer Fitzgerald was a true public servant from a proud and respected law enforcement family," Shapiro said. "Chris' father, Chief Joel Fitzgerald, served Philadelphia as a police officer and now as a police chief across the country. His mother Pauline Fitzgerald served our commonwealth in the office of attorney general where we worked together to make our communities safer."

In the eulogy, Shapiro paid special note to the Temple staff present in the building and Fitzgerald's father Joel and mother Pauline.

Shapiro said he was honored when asked to give the eulogy.

"Your fellow Pennsylvanians join you in mourning," Shapiro said. "To Joel, Pauline, Marissa, and your children. My wife Lori and I, our first lady and I are privileged to be in your presence and humbled that you've asked me to honor the memory of your son, your husband, your father."

"Our words can't take away from the pain you must endure the suffering of this hour and the darkness of an unknown future without your son, your husband, your father, your loved one, your fellow police officer," Shapiro added.

By Joe Brandt
 

Funeral and words of remembrance for officer Chris Fitzgerald underway

CBS News Philadelphia

The pews of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul were packed with mourners, including many uniformed members of law enforcement, as Temple University police officer Chris Fitzgerald's funeral began.

By CBS News Philadelphia Staff
 

Officer Fitzgerald's family arrives at funeral service

Family of fallen Officer Christopher Fitzgerald arrives at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. CBS Philadelphia

Posted by Joe Holden on Friday, February 24, 2023

Police on the scene saluted Christopher Fitzgerald's family as they entered the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for the funeral Mass Friday morning.

By Joe Holden
 

Procession to cemetery could cause I-95 delays

Once the funeral ends, the procession will make its way to the Forest Hills Cemetery in Huntingdon Valley, Pa.

That will impact traffic along I-95 North.

The procession will exit at Woodhaven Road and then head to Byberry Road, where the cemetery is located.

CBS News Philadelphia
By CBS News Philadelphia Staff
 

Casket arrives at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

Fallen Temple officer Chris Fitzgerald arrives at cathedral

The procession transporting the casket of fallen Temple officer Chris Fitzgerald arrived at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Friday morning.

Ofc. Fitzgerald arrives at

FINAL FAREWELL: The casket carrying fallen Temple officer Chris Fitzgerald arrived at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia Friday morning. Words of remembrance are set to begin at 11:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at noon. https://cbsn.ws/3YZVkwg

Posted by CBS Philadelphia on Friday, February 24, 2023
By CBS News Philadelphia Staff
 

Temple paying for funeral, offering tuition to Fitzgerald's kids

Temple University President Jason Wingard said this week that the school would pay for the funeral of fallen officer Chris Fitzgerald.

Additionally, Fitzgerald's four children will be offered free tuition should they wish to attend the university.

By CBS News Philadelphia Staff
 

Officers arrive at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for viewing and funeral

A large group of officers stood outside the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City where Officer Chris Fitzgerald's funeral will take place Friday.

By Ross DiMattei
 

Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro set to give eulogy for fallen Temple officer

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is giving the eulogy at fallen Temple University police officer Chris Fitzgerald's funeral, the governor's office said this week.

Words of remembrance are set to begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City.

Pastor Juan Marrero of Crossroads Community Church and Dr. Jennifer Griffin, Temple's vice president for public safety, are expected to speak.

The Mass will begin at the cathedral at noon.

By Joe Brandt
 

Billboard honoring Officer Fitzgerald goes up along I-95

Friday's funeral procession will pass a billboard along I-95 honoring Officer Chris Fitzgerald. The billboard is just north of Cottman Avenue.  

By Jessica MacAulay
 

Officer Chris Fitzgerald's funeral procession underway

A group of police officers loaded Chris Fitzgerald's casket, draped in an American flag, into a hearse that then departed the Givnish Funeral Home in Northeast Philadelphia.

Officers transporting Chris Fitzgerald's casket for funeral Mass
By Joe Brandt
 

Road closures planned for Officer Fitzgerald's funeral

Philadelphia closing roads during Officer Chris Fitzgerald's funeral

Road closures are in place around the funeral of fallen officer Christopher Fitzgerald in Philadelphia.

A viewing there is set for Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

At 11:30 a.m., Words of Remembrance will begin.

The funeral will start at 12 p.m.

Police say the inner lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be restricted Friday beginning at 6 a.m.

Also, the area between 16th and 20th Streets and from Vine to Arch Streets will be restricted from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Police say limited access to those streets will be provided to residents and businesses.

Police hope to reopen the road closures by 2 p.m. Friday when the funeral services end.

By Jasmine Payoute
 

Full schedule of Officer Fitzgerald's funeral arrangements

CBS News Philadelphia

Fitzgerald will be laid to rest at the Forest Hills Cemetery in Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery County.  

By CBS News Philadelphia Staff
 

Philly City Council approves resolution honoring Temple officer

Philadelphia City Council approved a resolution they say will honor Christopher Fitzgerald's life and his sacrifice. In a powerful show of unity, Philadelphia City Council held a moment of silence at its weekly meeting on Thursday.  

By Matt Petrillo
 

Family of fallen Temple officer Chris Fitzgerald wants justice

The Temple University community gathered Tuesday night to remember fallen police officer Christoper Fitzgerald. He was killed in the line of duty last Saturday night.

As Fitzgerald's family continues to grieve, they're also opening up about the man he was and how they want him to be remembered.

By Matt Petrillo
 

Vigil held at Temple University for fallen police officer Chris Fitzgerald

On Temple University's campus, the community gathered for a vigil Tuesday afternoon to honor officer Chris Fitzgerald, who was shot and killed on duty last weekend.  

By CBS News Philadelphia Staff
 

Who was Temple police officer Chris Fitzgerald?

The 31-year-old father of four was one of the original members of Swagga House Run Club. He also ran with Black Men Run Philadelphia. 

On Monday, both running organizations came together in front of a mural in North Philadelphia, which was painted last summer, as part of the Hood 2 Hood run series to end violence.

By Aziza Shuler
 

Watch procession for fallen Temple police officer Chris Fitzgerald

Watch procession for fallen Temple police officer Chris Fitzgerald

Fallen officer Christopher Fitzgerald's casket passed by his home in Mayfair, and went through Temple University's campus, before arriving at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City.  

By Joe Brandt
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.