"Big Al" served the department for 25 years and always looked out for the interest of patrol officers on the street, according to Chief Edward P. Donohue.

Christie was a past member of Townbank Volunteer Fire Department and a founding member of the County Communications Van Response Team.. He collapsed while working in the police communications center several weeks ago and passed away on Sept. 22.

An emergency services personnel, police, fire and rescue pass in review was conducted in Christie's honor  Sept. 29 at the Church of the Nazarene, 446 Seashore Road in Erma. All police, fire and rescue personnel who wished to participate were asked to gather in the church parking lot at 10:30 a.m.

Christie had no immediate family, however, he considered the emergency services personnel of the township and county as his extended family.

A funeral service was conducted at 11 a.m. followed by a procession of emergency vehicles with Christie's ashes to the west end jetty adjacent to the ferry terminal in David Douglass Park.