Corporal
Thomas James DeRue Sr.
South Bend Police Department
Thursday, November 14, 1974

Age: 28
Served: 6 years
Badge #: 168
Panel 51W, Line 4
Panel L12, Line 1

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Thursday, November 14, 1974
01:00 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
119 West Colfax Avenue, South Bend
Incident County:
St. Joseph
Incident Township:
Portage
Weapon Used:
.38-caliber handgun
Suspect Disposition:
Released in 1987
Burial Place:
Riverview Cemetery, South Bend

Share this Memorial
   

   Corporal Thomas DeRue was shot and killed while responding to an armed robbery-in-progress call.

   As he arrived on the scene the suspect exited Jennifer's, a women's apparel store, and shot him before he could exit his patrol car. He died shortly after arriving at Memorial Hospital having been shot with a revolver in the chest and abdomen.

   The 22-year-old male suspect was subsequently found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury and sentenced to life in prison. On appeal, his sentenced was later reduced to 15 to 25 years and he was released in 1987.

   Corporal DeRue was survived by his expectant wife and parents.




View all fallen officers from the
South Bend Police Department

Donate in memory of
Corporal DeRue Sr.
Corporal Thomas James DeRue Sr.- South Bend Police Department - INLEM.org