Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Van Derson,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Creswell. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 5, 2021

I lived a 1/2 mile away from the bank when this ambush-shooting took place; I was 8 years-old then but I remember! We did not live long in Creswell but I will be visiting this week and I will place an arrangement of flowers for Officer Van Derson when I visit; it will be my first return to Cresell since December 1971. It is a horrendous shame the criminal who killed Officer Van Derson was set free to kill again, the justice system failed the Van Derson family, and the Creswell community.

God bless.

Dan Toppins
just a kid living in the neighborhood in 1971

October 5, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Van Derson.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 27, 2021

I was working at a service station 1/2 block away and heard the gunshot. I have thought of Officer Van Derson often in the last 47 years. I will visit the national memorial in DC this spring.
Poor legal system.
Later I spent 5 years On Springfield PD in the mid 70’s

David Young
Springfield PD

March 29, 2018

I was working at a service station 1/2 block away and heard the gunshot. I have thought of Officer Van Derson often in the last 47 years. I will visit the national memorial in DC this spring.
Poor legal system.
Later I spent 5 years On Springfield PD in the mid 70’s

David Young
Springfield PD

March 29, 2018

Uncle Curtis, We think of you often and keep in touch with your family. Your loss had a great impact on your family and you are loved and missed

Milissa Jones
Niece

May 15, 2014

r.i.p grandpa, i love you and we all miss you

christan vanderson
grandaughter

January 21, 2014

My very late condolences to the family. In 1971 I was married to an Oakland, California Police Officer, and had just given birth to our first child. This could have been any police officer. We need to be supportive of our Police Departments, their officers and families.

I am appalled at the lenient sentences given to the criminals. They should not have been free to do this crime.

Rest in Peace, Officer VanDerson. There are those of us who care.

Dorothy Delina Porter - Private Citizen
Former Police Wife - Friend of Law Enforcement

March 14, 2012

I was 17 years old riding home on I-5 with my Dad driving through Lane County when we heard the radio news report of this murder of a police officer on KPNW, 1120, in Eugene. It was shocking to me then and still is. This officer's sacrifice alwasy stuck with me due to being near the scene as it occured nearly. I am glad Creswell's City Councilor AJ O'Connel is going to have a fitting memorial for officer VanDerson. Officer Van Derson, rest in peace.

Chief Mike Moran
Talent Police Department

November 10, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 41rst anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

It seems the justice4 system in Oregon fialed you and other victims completely. What does it take for the courts there to see this person should never ever be released from prison?


Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

November 5, 2011

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 14, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 14, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 1, 2007

I helped train Curt when he came to work for the Lane Co. S.O. Curt and I were car partners for several weeks. He was a good man and a good police officer. I still miss him after all these years. I guess I will always miss him. Steve (Fouts) Modrell Chief of Police (Retired) Firestone Colorado

Steve Modrell Chief of Police Ret
Close friend of Curt's

June 15, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers go out to This Officer, as well as the Family, Friends, Department and Community.

This is a loss that will never be forgotten. Hours will turn into days, days turn into weeks, weeks into months and months into years but, the difference that these officers have made will last forever.

We lost Our Deputy Morris Taylor on September 14, 2002. When he joined the other Angels in Blue.

God Bless Our Law Enforcement Officers and Those Who Love Them.

Jack & Tracy Van Dolah
Former LEO/U.S.M.C. & Wife in Sutherlin, Oregon

May 22, 2005

You have not been forgotten Officer Van Derson. Your service to the community of creswell was not in vain. Go patrol the streets of heaven. Your brothers here on earth will continue patroling the streets here. RIP Officer Curtis Avery Van Derson.

Cadet (Explorer) Chris Thelin
Independence Police Department, Independence Oregon

April 26, 2005