How Police Caught Temple Police Officer's Accused Killer

PHILADELPHIA — The 18-year-old accused of shooting, killing and robbing a Temple University Police officer was captured in less than 12 hours due to diligent police work, officials said Tuesday.

Miles Pfeffer, 18, of Bucks County, was taken into custody at about 6:15 a.m. Sunday at his home in Buckingham Township, authorities said. Pfeffer has been charged with murder, robbery, carjacking, and numerous other offenses in connection with Temple University Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald's death.

The quick work to find him was credited in part to a Philadelphia Police officer who detained two other teens Pfeffer was with after Fitzgerald radioed he was chasing three suspects.

Fitzgerald was on patrol around 7:15 p.m. Saturday when he encountered Pfeffer and two others on the 1800 block of Montgomery Avenue, where nearby carjackings and robberies were of concern, Philadelphia Police Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom said.

The three were in all black and wearing masks, and when Fitzgerald tried to stop them, they ran off. Fitzgerald then chased them and radioed to others that he was going after them on foot, Ransom said.

Two of the three hid in the area, and Fitzgerald continued after the third, later identified as Pfeffer, Ransom said.

According to Ransom, video from the 1700 block of Montgomery Avenue showed Fitzgerald catching up to Pfeffer and ordering Pfeffer to the ground. There was a struggle off camera and three gunshots were heard.

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, Ransom said.

Pfeffer then carjacked someone nearby and drove off, Ransom said. That vehicle was later recovered.

The two others with Pfeffer were taken to the police homicide unit, where they gave police information that led to authorities to Pfeffer as a suspect. Pfeffer was taken into custody by local, regional, and federal authorities, Ransom said.

He said Fitzgerald's department issued handcuffs were used when Pfeffer was detained.

Pfeffer has been denied bail.