Detective Bernard L. Christopher, Mount Vernon Police Department, New York

Detective Bernard L. Christopher

Mount Vernon Police Department, New York

End of Watch Monday, June 24, 1974

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Bernard L. Christopher

Detective Bernard Christopher was shot and killed when he attempted to stop a robbery while off-duty at 3:00 am.

Detective Christoper was at the Star Grill at 472 Frankin Avenue, Mount Vernon, when a man armed with a 12-gauge shotgun entered the location and announced a robbery. Detective Christopher drew his revolver and exchanged gunfire with the suspect. Detective Christopher was struck in the chest and killed.

An off-duty Police Officer from the New York City Police Department, who was also in the restaurant, pursued the suspect on foot and exchanged gunfire with him. That officer was slightly wounded and was unable to apprehend the suspect.

Three weeks later, a 29-year-old drifter was arrested for stabbing a man to death in Harlem on May 13, 1974. A week later, he was charged with Detective Christopher's murder. On March 11, 1975, he was convicted of Detective Christopher's murder and sentenced to 20 years to life. He was also convicted of first-degree robbery and sentenced to 20 years to life to run concurrently with his other sentence. He died in prison on December 2, 2003.

Detective Christopher was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Mount Vernon Police Department for ten years. He was survived by his wife.

Bio

Age 39
Tour 10 years
Badge 36
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun; 12 gauge
Offender Sentenced 20 years to life

robbery, off duty

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My name is Yolanda Edwards-Dandridge, and Bernard Christopher was my second cousin. My father, Rudolph V. Edwards, Sr., was his first cousin. My father worked as a Housing Police Officer in the Bronx before being promoted to Detective. I like to think they are together in heaven, reminiscing and sharing stories as police officers often do.

Although I was just a little girl when my cousin lost his life, I have always kept him in my memory. Today, I had the opportunity to speak with a retired police officer who worked with Cousin Bernard, as well as his mother, who was a former County Clerk. It was a poignant reminder of how deeply Cousin Bernard is missed.

Our family will always hold Bernard in our thoughts and prayers. We are grateful for those who remember him and honor his contributions to the Police Department and his dedication to his family. My father often shared stories about Cousin Bernard, and I treasure those memories. Our family hails from the Virgin Islands, with roots in both St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Yolanda Edwards-Dandridge
Second Cousin

September 10, 2024