Bruce Desmond CHRISTOFFERSEN (1924 – 1978)

Biography

Detective in the Napier police force from about 1954 until his death
Awarded The George Medal and Coronation Medal for his bravery
Lived in Kennedy Road and Sanders Avenue, Napier

From NZ Police Museum –
Palmerston North Detective Bruce Christoffersen interviewed a 17 year old boy who was suspected of shop breaking offences. He questioned the youth at his place of employment and they then went to the boy’s home. The Detective wished to inspect the locked workshop at the back of the house, but the boy stated that the key was back at his work and he was allowed to return there to get it. In the meantime, the boy’s father voiced concern about what the boy had in the shed, Detective Christoffersen broke open the door and found a quantity of ammunition, a sawn-off rifle and other weapons. The boy returned with a 16 year old associate, both were armed with loaded rifles. The offender covered his father and Detective Christoffersen with the rifle and the associate went to the back of the house. A woman screamed from that direction and with no thought for his own personal safety Detective Christoffersen rushed to her assistance. The accomplice fired two shots but Christoffersen tackled him at close range. A further shot was fired and the Detective was severely wounded in the upper chest and sustained grave injuries. The two armed boys then fled from the scene in a car and were subsequently captured, hours later, after firing more shots at Police. Detective Christoffersen displayed great courage and determination and was awarded the George Medal. His wound resulted in a permanent back injury that contributed to his early death at age 54.