Miles Pfeffer, the Bucks County man found guilty of murder in the death of Temple University police Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald in 2023, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, plus 22.5 to 45 years in prison on Wednesday.

Pfeffer, 20, was found guilty of first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, robbery and firearms charges. The Fitzgerald family was emotional as the verdict was read in court.

What to know about Miles Pfeffer trial, shooting death of Christopher Fitzgerald

Prosecutors said Pfeffer, who was 18 at the time, fatally shot Fitzgerald in the area of the 1700 block of Montgomery Avenue on Feb. 18, 2023, as the Temple officer responded to a robbery in the area. 

Fitzgerald tried to stop three people, including Pfeffer, just off Temple's campus, when he ignored the police officer's commands to stop.

Fitzgerald caught up to Pfeffer, and a fight broke out. Pfeffer allegedly then took out a gun and shot Fitzgerald in the head. An affidavit said Pfeffer then stood over Fitzgerald and fired several more shots into his torso and head. Fitzgerald was later pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital. Pfeffer fled the scene of the shooting after allegedly committing a carjacking. He was arrested the following day in Buckingham Township, Bucks County.

A surveillance video of the shooting was played for the jury during the trial, which lasted less than a week. Jury selection for the case happened on Monday, and then there were two days of testimony with closing arguments wrapping up on Wednesday. The jury deliberated for about 18 minutes on Wednesday before issuing the verdict.

Earlier Wednesday, Pfeffer's attorneys argued that he should've only received third-degree murder charges and that the shooting wasn't intentional. The jury resoundingly rejected that argument.

During sentencing, the judge asked Pfeffer if he had anything to say. He answered: "No, your honor." Pfeffer's father declined to comment on the verdict.

Judge Glenn Bronson said in a statement: "There is no graver offense than murdering a police officer and the system collapses when people attack and kill police officers. You've extinguished the life of a great person. He's gone forever, for nothing."

Fitzgerald family reacts to verdict

Before the verdict and sentencing were delivered on Wednesday, the Fitzgerald family previously expressed outrage over the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office's decision not to pursue the death penalty for Pfeffer. 

"We unfortunately have lobbied for the death penalty to be considered in this case, and that wasn't considered," Joel Fitzgerald, Christopher's father, said. "Thankfully, our pleas to the judge were heard and he went with well over life and that's important. That sends a message."

Marissa Fitzgerald, Christopher's wife, said she was nervous while the jury deliberated and didn't think they would come back that quickly.  

"I'm just really grateful that the jury saw it and the judge gave [Pfeffer] the harshest sentence that he deserved," Marissa Fitzgerald said. 

"We just kept praying and had faith in God," she added. "It was surprising, I didn't think it was going to come back that quick, I was nervous to be honest. God answers all prayers and he answered ours today."

It was an emotional week for Marissa Fitzgerald, but she said she'll continue to be strong for her family and carry on her husband's legacy. 

"We are broken because Christopher is not here, however, we still lift our head high. We still walk with him. We still represent him. We are his legacy. Our babies are his legacy. He didn't break me because if he broke me, I wouldn't be standing here like I am today. I have to be strong for him, for our mom, for our dad, for our babies, and I know that's exactly what he wants me to do and that's what I'm going to continue to do, and I'm going to make sure that his legacy never dies," she said. 

After the verdict was read, Marissa Fitzgerald told Pfeffer: "You are a gift from the devil ... you took everything. You took our gift from God. My husband caught you even after you took his life. He led his brothers and sisters to you. Your privileged lifestyle is over. You took my best friend. I now know what true evil is. I will never feel sorry for you. I will never forgive you for what you did. Our babies are forever changed by what you did to them."

Who was Christopher Fitzgerald?

Fitzgerald, who was 31 at the time of his death, joined the Temple University Police Department in October 2021. Fitzgerald is the son of Joel Fitzgerald, who was the police chief in four cities across the United States, including Allentown in the Lehigh Valley. 

Friends and family remembered Fitzgerald, a father of four, as a person who advocated to end gun violence and an avid runner who loved to laugh. 

The 1700 block of Montgomery Avenue where Fitzgerald was killed is now named Christopher Fitzgerald Way. 

• North Philadelphia
• Temple University
• Philadelphia