Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Cpl. DeRue,
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 South Bend. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

November 14, 2024

Corporal DeRue rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 14, 2024

NEVER FORGOTTEN!
Cops Cycling for Survivors
Www.copscycling4survivors.org

Monica Zahasky
Cops Cycling for Survivors

November 14, 2017

Officer DeRue,

Today you were remembered in a very special way by the students in fourth period Language Arts class at Schmucker Middle School in Mishawaka Indiana.

You are a true hero!

Love,
Elizabeth DeRue, niece and student
Theresa Jewell, Daughter of Retired Police Cpt. Paul Jewell and Schmucker Language Arts Teacher
And the entire fourth period Language Arts class

Theresa Jewell and Elizabeth DeRue
Teacher and Student, Daughter of Retired South Bend Cpt. Paul Jewell

February 19, 2016

Rest in Peace, Corporal DeRue. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

April 6, 2013

You are forever remembered. God bless you and your wife and son.

Cpl. Jason Walsh
Elkhart Police Dept

October 8, 2012

Tom, you would have been 65 year old today. You have been gone 37 years but you are still missed and loved.
Love you forever and ever and even more forevers.
Pat DeRue-Nemeth

Pat DeRue-Nemeth
Wife

June 24, 2011

Rest well Soldier

Anonymous

March 9, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th 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.

I hope his child grew up with support from the local law enforcment community.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 14, 2010

gone but not forgotten

Anonymous

October 26, 2009

As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the month & year that I was hired. While it's been many years since your passing, I'm sure those you left behind and those whom with you served with distinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thank you for your service and for looking out for us who continue in our chosen profession. Rest in peace Corporal DeRue.

Sgt. Robert Mau Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 19, 2008

hey there tom,

i know i've left a reflection, but words can't express how much i wish i could've gotten to know you. yesterday i was right across the way from your old high school and i started to cry and then i thought about what mr gregory humnicky told me, about you and then i started laughing and he told me what a stand up guy you were and then i was busting a gut. so rest in peace and stay with your family and me ok? love you

theresa laurence
citizen

August 6, 2008

wish i could have gotten to know you , but now, i will only know you through stories told by other officers, and now i bid thee goodbye tom.

heros never die!!!!

Theresa Laurence

April 29, 2008

Never Forgotten

December 22, 2007

Rest in peace hero

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

November 30, 2007

"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

July 31, 2007

Hereos will never be forgotten. "Thank You" for protecting the Community of South Bend Indiana and your fellow Officers.

Corporal DeRue Sr. is now commanding a squad of angeles in the "Army of the Lord" and will now be called Cheif DeRue Sr.. Chief DeRue Sr. has assigned his angels to watch over all of us.

"God Bless", the DeRue family and the South Bend Indiana Police Department family. Sorry for your lost and you will always be in our prayers.

Officer B.T.Davis
WDC

April 24, 2007

You sir will never be forgotten. You will always live in the hearts of family friends and relatives who have known you and lost you

February 13, 2007

Your dedication is not forgotten.
I am sure the Lord is watching over one of his finest.

Forest L. "Butch" Milbourn
South Bend Police Department(Retired)

September 21, 2006

Thank you for allowing me to grow up knowing what a hero was. Your memory and name always were special in our house. I was too young to know you before you passed, but I feel like you have know me my whole life. Please watch over my Dad as I know he needs you now and always has. Thank you for giving all you had and being a hero and role model to those that have followed in your footsteps
God Bless and God Speed

August 15, 2006

God bless, Tom...from a fellow Hoosier.

Special Agent Dennis Duncan
Norfolk Southern Railway Police

February 24, 2004

I did not have the chance to know Cpl. DeRue personally. Bit I do remember hearing his name as a child & knowing he was my father's {Cpl. Dean Tinkel-SBPD} friend.

I remember clearly, my Father coming home from work and saying an officer had been shot and seeing tears on my Mother's face. I was 6yrs old and suddenly understood my Father's job was as dangerous as it was important, because his friend Tom DeRue had been killed for reasons I was to young to understand.

Everyday I see Cpl. DeRue's picture in the display case of the police station, along with other officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. When I read or hear about a fallen officer, I see Cpl. DeRue's face in my mind.

Thank you, Tom for everything you did for your community and all the hearts you touched.

Dispatcher Dan Tinkel
South Bend Police Department

November 24, 2003

Police Officers are part of a brotherhood that others will never know! Take care, we've got the watch from here!

Ofc. Culver, RJ
Holly Hill Police Department, Volusia County, FL

Ofc. Culver, RJ
Holly Hill Police Department

November 5, 2003