Holly MatkinTiburon, CA – Tiburon Police Department (TPD) Sergeant Sean Christopher died on Monday after fatally shooting himself inside police headquarters while on shift, according to authorities.
Investigators said the incident occurred inside the TPD locker room at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Dec. 12, The Ark reported.
Other TPD personnel reported having heard a gunshot, but Sgt. Christopher was alone in the locker room when the shooting occurred, according to city officials.
“We are extraordinarily sad to report the loss of Sgt. Sean Christopher,” Tiburon Mayor Jack Ryan said in a statement to KRON on Tuesday. “He was found deceased at the Tiburon Police Department with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
“Out of respect for the family and the investigation being led by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, we cannot make any additional comments at this time,” Ryan added.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office is handling the ongoing investigation into the sergeant’s death.
A massive motorcade escorted the fallen sergeant’s body from the police department to the coroner’s office at approximately 4 p.m. on Monday, The Ark reported.
“We are a tightknit family,” TPD Chief Ryan Monaghan told KRON. “We are all still trying to process this tragedy.”
Sgt. Christopher was promoted to the rank of sergeant just six weeks ago and was tasked with overseeing night shift patrols at the time of his death, according to the news outlet.
The Sacramento native worked in the private sector prior to his career in law enforcement, The Ark reported.
He joined the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department after completing the Sacramento Sheriff’s Academy, and worked there until he took a job with the Marin County Sheriff’s Office in 2009.
Sgt. Christopher joined the TPD in February of 2019, The Ark reported.
“I am having trouble putting into words the sorrow that I feel, but my deepest sympathies are with Sean’s family and friends, not only at home but at the Tiburon Police Department,” Mayor Ryan told the paper.
Sgt. Christopher leaves behind his wife and five children, The Ark reported.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Tiburon Police Department Sergeant Sean Christopher, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
