Savannah Mourns the Loss of a Police Officer Killed While Working at a Crash Scene

Savannah is mourning the loss of Anthony Christie, a police officer with the Savannah Police Department (“SPD”), who was tragically killed in the line of duty on Friday, May 25, 2018. Officer Christie was directing traffic around a head-on collision on eastbound I-16 at Dean Forest Road, at around 2:30 a.m. He was in his parked patrol car, with the emergency lights flashing, when a tractor-trailer struck the side of his vehicle.

Officer Christie sustained critical injuries, per WSAV 3, to which he succumbed. He leaves behind a wife, Nicole Christie.

SPD Chief Mark Revenew issued the following statement after the fatal crash: “Officer Christie was doing what many of our officers do every day when he was tragically struck this morning. We know policing is a dangerous job, but that doesn’t make incidents like this any less heartbreaking for our community, our department and the entire blue family.”

Officer Christie was an invaluable member of the SPD. He was sworn in two years ago, and during his tenure, SavannahNow reports, “Christie, along with other officers, was awarded a Team Work Award for assisting in the search and rescue of a missing child who was abandoned in the woods by a robbery suspect in 2016.” Prior to joining the force, he spent 13 years in the Navy: as a Master-at-Arms Second Class, and as a reservist. He was awarded multiple medals and honors for his service, including the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terror Service Medal.

Directing traffic is a far more dangerous job than most people realize

Dangerous police work usually brings to mind high-speed chases, going undercover or facing off with murderers or drug dealers. However, traffic-related incidents, according to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund’s 2015 report, are the leading cause of death for police officers. In fact, the risk of being in a car crash, or being struck while outside of the vehicle, is so high that it has led multiple states across the country – including Georgia – to enact Move Over laws to better protect those who serve to protect us.

We know first-hand just how dangerous this element of policing can be. In 2016, we represented Joel Jenkins, the Police Chief of Climax, Georgia, in a lawsuit, securing a $40 million verdict. Chief Jenkins had pulled over to help a stranded motorist and to direct traffic around that motorist. His patrol car’s lights were flashing, but that didn’t stop a driver from crashing head-on into the police chief’s car. Chief Jenkins was rendered permanently disabled because of that crash.

We invite you to hear Mr. Jenkins’ story, in his own words.

Our hearts go out to Nicole, the Christie family and the Savannah Police Department for their loss. A young officer was cut down in the prime of his life, while doing his best to protect our community. We hope his loved ones find peace in the coming days.

Harris Lowry Manton LLP is an award-winning injury law firm serving clients in Savannah, Atlanta and throughout Georgia. To learn more, please call our Atlanta office today at 404-961-7650, our lawyers in Savannah at 912-651-9967, or complete this contact form to schedule a free consultation.