The Messed Up Truth Of The Beauty Queen Killer
On April 13, 1984, Christopher Wilder was at a gas station in Colebrook, New Hampshire, when he was cornered by two members of the New Hampshire Highway Patrol. Wilder was attempting to leave the station, presumably on the way to Canada, whose border lay a mere 10 miles away. Trooper Leo Jellison moved in on Wilder and tried to physically restrain him (via UPI). During the scuffle, Wilder was able to fire two shots from a .357 magnum. Both slugs entered Wilder's chest with one of them exiting and striking Jellison. Wilder died almost instantly.
The pathologist who examined Wilder's body concluded that the bullets fired from Wilder's gun were simultaneous, both entering his heart. Wilder's death was ruled accidental, as it is believed that he was trying to use his weapon to kill Jellison and accidentally shot himself instead.
Wounded, Jellison retreated to his nearby patrol car to wait for an ambulance to arrive. The New York Times reports that the wounded officer was struck in the chest and rushed to a nearby hospital for surgery. Jellison recovered and eventually returned to duty. Two years later Jellison and his partner, Trooper Wayne Fortier, were honored by state police. They were awarded the Medal of Valor, the "highest award granted by state police," according to UPI. In addition, the two troopers were given accolades by the American Law Enforcement Association and the American Police Hall of Fame.
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