header 1
header 2
header 3

In Memory

Thomas James DeRue Sr. - Class Of 1964 VIEW PROFILE

Thomas James DeRue Sr.

SBPD officer killed in line of duty

Thomas James DeRue Sr.

Jun. 24, 1946 - Nov. 14, 1974

Bio & Incident Details
Age: 28
Tour: 6 years
Badge # 168
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 11/14/1974
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect: Apprehended

Corporal Thomas DeRue was shot and killed while responding to an armed robbery. As he arrived on the scene the suspect exited the business and shot him before he could exit his patrol car. Corporal DeRue was shot once in the chest and once in the abdomen and died from internal bleeding at the scene. The suspect was later apprehended.

Corporal DeRue had served with the South Bend Police Department for six years. He was survived by his expectant wife.

Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/4035-corporal-thomas-j-derue-sr#ixzz2mcU6yoY4
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Corporal Thomas J. DeRue Sr.

Patrolman DeRue was shot as he arrived at the scene of a hold-up at Jennifer's, a woman's apparel shop. DeRue had parked his squad car across the sidewalk in an alley a few feet east of the store, apparently blocking the path of the fleeing robber. DeRue slumped over in the seat of his squad car had taken two gun shots from the fleeing bandit. Once in the chest and once in the abdomen. He died from internal bleeding as he sat in his squad car.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~instjose/
policedepartments/stjosephpolicememorial.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fallen Officer Scholarship Ride honors Cpl. Thomas DeRue Sr.

Folks gathered outside the South Bend Police Department Saturday for the 5th Annual Fallen Officer Scholarship Ride.

It was an event to honor one of their own who was killed in the line of duty, Corporal Thomas DeRue Senior.

"He was a good officer. Everybody I talked to said he was one of those guys that could make you laugh, he laughed all the time, he loved a practical good joke," says Sgt. Tom Cameron.

More than 100 people rode for about an hour through the Northwest part of St. Joseph County before arriving at Riverview Cemetery where many learned about DeRue for the first time.

"November 14, 1974, Thomas J. DeRue was killed in South Bend," adds Cameron.

Records show DeRue was working the day shift when a call came in about a robbery in progress at 100 West Colfax in South Bend.

DeRue arrived at the scene, parked in the alley right when the robber was coming out.

"All they heard Tom DeRue say was, 'Mayday, mayday, I have been shot'," says Cameron, "If Tom DeRue had had a bullet proof vest that day, he would be with us today. The shots were to his chest".

"I was working in County City Building, up on the 14th floor and one of the gals came up and said, ‘there was a policeman killed' and I just knew it was Tom. I just had that feeling that it was Tom," says Patti DeRue-Nemeth.

But Saturday's event was a way for many to honor and remember a man whose sacrifice will never be forgotten.

"It was phenomenal. I mean, there was just many, many people that never knew Tom or anything and they turn out every year and it's not only today and not only to honor Tom, but every year there are just a ton of motorcycles that turn up to honor him," adds DeRue-Nemeth.

After everyone paid their respects they hopped right back on their bikes and continued around the county.

They made a stop at the South Lawn Cemetery, where other fallen officers are buried, before heading off to the Corn and Sausage Roast.

http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Fallen-
Officer-Scholarship-Ride-honors-
Cpl-Thomas-DeRue-Sr-218250911.html

Indiana, Marriage Certificates, 1960-2005
Name: Thomas J. DE Rue
Age: 26
Birth Date: abt 1947
Birth Place: SOUTH BEND, Indiana
Marriage Date: 24 Mar 1973
Marriage Place: South Bend, St Joseph, Indiana, USA
Spouse: Patricia A. Nowacki.

 

04/09/2022 DEC

Findagrave.com

 
  Post Comment

05/22/22 03:03 PM #1    

Joseph OConnor (1965)

I also knew Tom. admired the guy, I was upset when I found out about Tomes death in South Bend. Just down from Central. Bless you Tom, & your loved ones. Your friend, Joseph.


  Post Comment

 


Click here to see Thomas James' last Profile entry.