Officers Christopher Munro and Eric Reynolds

Boynton Beach (FL) Police Department

Washington, DC—The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has announced the selection of Officer Christopher Munro and Officer Eric Reynolds of the Boynton Beach (FL) Police Department as recipients of its Officer of the Month Award for February 2013.
On June 12, 2012, the Delray Beach (FL) Police Department issued a “Be on the Lookout” (BOLO) alert for a red Ford Crown Victoria with a white roof. The driver of the vehicle was suspected of committing armed robbery at a local bank branch. When Boynton Beach (FL) Police Officer Eric Reynolds heard that the vehicle was last seen heading toward Federal Highway, he stationed his cruiser at an intersection he believed the suspect would cross. Right when he had approximated the suspect’s red Ford would appear, he saw a red Lincoln Town Car with a red top crossing from the Intercoastal Highway into Boynton Beach. Officer Reynolds notified dispatch that he might have the suspect in his sights and began to follow the Lincoln.
At first, the Lincoln accelerated, but then slowed down enough for Officer Reynolds to run the license plate . When the Lincoln stopped at a curb, Officer Reynolds noticed a handicapped sticker on the plates, and questioned whether this car—similar in appearance to the one described in the BOLO alert—did in fact belong to the armed robbery suspect. After several long seconds, the Lincoln sped off with Officer Reynolds in close pursuit.
Fellow Boynton Beach Officer Christopher Munro had heard the original alert and was listening to the radio broadcast as events unfolded. When he noticed a Lincoln speed by his patrol vehicle, Officer Munro followed behind Officer Reynolds’s cruiser in pursuit. The suspect’s Lincoln continued at a high rate of speed, crashing into two civilian vehicles at two different intersections . Officer Reynolds and Officer Munro continued to pursue the suspect. The chase finally came to an end when the suspect’s car crashed into a third civilian vehicle.
At this point, the suspect’s Lincoln appeared to be inoperable, and the suspect struggled to open the driver’s side door. Officer Munro took cover behind his cruiser and Officer Reynolds braced himself behind his own driver’s side door when suddenly the suspect extended his arm out of the car window and opened fire . In response to the critical threat to the civilians and themselves, the officers returned fire, striking the suspect several times.
Not knowing the suspect’s condition, Officers Reynolds and Munro took up defensive positions and held the suspect at gunpoint until additional units arrived. It was then that Officer Reynolds realized that he had been shot in the foot. The suspect succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Had these officers relied solely on the BOLO tip, they would have focused on locating a Ford Crown Victoria, and the 52-year-old career criminal—driving a Lincoln Town Car—might have escaped once again. For their insight and heroic actions, both officers will receive the Boynton Police Department’s Combat Cross Medal. Officer Reynolds will receive the department’s Meritorious Service Wound Medal.
Located in the nation’s capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. The Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award Program began in 1996 and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.
Officers Eric Reynolds and Christopher Munro, along with the other Officer of the Month Award winners for 2013, will be honored at a special awards luncheon in Washington, DC in May 2014 during National Police Week. In addition, their stories of heroism and service will be featured in the Memorial Fund’s annual calendar.

The Police Unity Tour is the official sponsor of the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Program.