“A punch in the face”

The grieving family of a Pennsylvania police officer who was gunned down and executed in the line of duty is sharply criticizing the local prosecutor for refusing to consider the death penalty for the suspected killer.

31-year-old Temple University police officer Chris Fitzgerald, a married father of four, was shot six times in cold blood last year. His suspected juvenile killer is charged with first-degree murder.

Now the police officer’s devastated family wants justice – but the controversial Philadelphia District Attorney, Larry Krasner, is not even answering their calls.

“I say he’s playing Big Brother, he’s playing God, and what he’s doing is saying his stance on the death penalty is more important than the laws of Pennsylvania,” the officer’s father, Joel Fitzgerald, told The Post.

“This is his chance to properly size his flawed approach to applying potential punishments,” he said. “The bottom line is this case involves all aspects of a death penalty case and it has to be put in the hands of a jury or a judge, and he says he knows best, and that’s ridiculous.”

“Apply the law as it should be applied and let things run as they run.”

According to police, a scuffle broke out between 19-year-old Miles Pfeffer, who is accused of murder, and Fitzgerald when police caught him and his buddies carjacking near the campus in North Philadelphia on February 19, 2023.

Prefer allegedly shot Fitzgerald, then ignored the police officer’s pleas above him and fired half a dozen shots before driving away in a stolen car.

The sergeant’s widow, Marissa Fitzgerald, is still haunted by the memory of her telling her young children.

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” she told The Post. “I remember our 10-year-old coming down and I remember the look on his face because he had a smile on his face.”

“Seeing his beautiful smile change when he found out his father wasn’t coming home was very difficult,” she said. “Aside from having to bury my husband, that was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. You can only imagine how devastated they were when I had to tell them.”

Krasner, a former criminal defense attorney who once bragged about suing police departments, is remaining silent.

Dustin Slaughter, a spokesman for Krasner, said the prosecutor’s request was “consistent with his oath to seek justice and uphold the law” and reiterated that he would not seek the death penalty for Pfeffer.

“This decision was made after extensive, hours-long consultation with Officer Fitzgerald’s family and experts,” Slaughter said in an email. “Members of the DAO committee considering potential death penalty cases include attorneys with hundreds of years of combined experience in murder and other criminal trials and appeals.

“They reviewed all aspects of the case themselves and all available information about the defendant before passing on their recommendations to District Attorney Krasner, who made the final decision,” he said.

Slaughter added: “The family’s input is greatly appreciated and was carefully considered by the committee and Attorney General Krasner prior to making its decision.”

In Pennsylvania, the death penalty is a possible parole penalty for premeditated murder.

Chris Fitzgerald was a Philadelphia native and came from a family of police officers – Joel and Pauline Fitzgerald both had long and successful careers in law enforcement, beginning as police officers in their hometown.

Joel Fitzgerald has served as chief of police for various police departments in Pennsylvania, Texas and Iowa and is currently chief of the Regional Transit District in Denver, Colorado.

Pauline Fitzgerald held posts in Stafford, Texas and was an investigator on a felony case in Tarrant, Texas.

When his parents got a job out of state, they urged his son to come with them, but Chris wanted to stay and help the troubled town where he grew up.

“He was born and raised here. He chose to stay in this city,” said Joel Fitzgerald. “Until he died.”

On the day of his death, he was on duty when he noticed a car being stolen and gave chase. He caught up with Pfeffer, scuffled with him and begged him to give up.

Instead, prosecutors said, Pfeffer pulled out a gun and shot Fitzgerald – and then shot again and again.

Pfeffer is said to have then rummaged through the pockets of the fatally wounded officer and fled in a stolen car.

Despite public grief expressed by elected officials in the City of Brotherly Love, the Fitzgeralds say no one has come forward to support the family in their quest for justice.

“Their silence is deafening,” said Pauline Fitzgerald. “They were there when he was killed, they wanted to come to the hospital, they talked about what a tragedy it was.”

“But now there is radio silence.”

Her husband agreed.

“Everyone wants a photo shoot, but now is the time,” added Joel Fitzgerald. “Nobody will say anything because they’re trying to curry favor with the district attorney. It’s cowardly not to intervene.”

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s office did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.

Chris Fitzgerald’s family is also pushing for Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry to take over the case and appoint a special prosecutor. A spokesman for Henry, however, said the office does not comment on cases handled by other prosecutors. Krasner can decide on the death penalty.

Pauline Fitzgerald called the whole thing “a slap in the face”.

“We prayed that the brutality of this case would compel (Krasner) to do the right thing,” she said. “Christopher’s case is so brutal, it was an assassination attempt. I don’t see how you can conclude anything else.”