Buckingham Man Found Guilty In Shooting Death Of Temple Police Officer

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Buckingham resident Miles Pfeffer will spend the rest of his life in prison for the shooting death of Temple University Police Officer Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald in 2023.

After less than a half hour of deliberation, the jury convicted the 2o-year-old on all charges including first degree murder, murder of a law enforcement officer, robbery, carjacking, possession of an instrument of crime and related offenses.

A first degree murder charge carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. In addition to the life sentence, the judge added 22 and a half to 45 years in prison.

According to the Philadelphia DA's office, the teen encountered Officer Christopher Fitzgerald on Feb. 18, 2023, while Fitzgerald was investigating an incident near the border of the university’s campus, according to authorities.

During a struggle, Pfeffer shot Fitzgerald in the head, tried to rob the officer of his gun and went through Fitzgerald’s pockets as he lay dying on the ground, authorities said.

Pfeffer then committed a carjacking near the scene of the killing, according to authorities. Fitzgerald was later pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital, authorities said.

Pfeffer was arrested hours later at his mother's farm in Buckingham Township.

Fitzgerald was hired by Temple in October of 2021, according to the university. He was married and had four children.

During the three day trial, prosecutors produced security camera video that showed some of the chase and shooting. Pfeffer's brother, Dean, also testified against him at trial.

Assistant District Attorney Lauren Crump said the video of Pfeffer standing over the officer and shooting proved his intent.