Incident
Corporal Paul Deguch was shot and killed while questioning a suspect who was riding a bike in a high drug traffic area. The suspect produced a handgun and shot Corporal Deguch several times, including once in the head, as he was being searched for weapons. Corporal Deguch was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds one hour later. The 16-year-old suspect was arrested three hours later and charged with murder. On July 9, 1999, the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Corporal Deguch had served with the South Bend Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, a 2-month-old daughter, and two young sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-KHED-94NQ-Nearlier record number BO-US-IN-FE241C6B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Paul. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Deguch gave the South Bend Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the South Bend community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Deguch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Bend Police Department has lost 15 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Paul is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Paul is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Paul is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1997, 1 officer at South Bend Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1933, with 2.
In 1997, 5 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1997, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1997, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Paul was 30. Of the 11 killed feloniously at South Bend Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 39; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Paul was 30. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Paul had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Paul was 30. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Paul had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 30. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Paul had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9.1% of these deaths at South Bend Police Department; November holds the most, 18.2%. Sundays: 27.3%.
August holds 8.1% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 17.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 73.3% of all 15 deaths at South Bend Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 36.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
South Bend Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
-
Oscar W. Christensen
May 11, 1897
-
Lewis Keller
Feb 25, 1898
-
Samuel Cooper Nov 1, 1900
-
Hans B. Brandt
Jun 18, 1916
-
Fred E. Buhland Jan 10, 1921
-
Neil Mason McIntyre
Dec 25, 1923
-
Lloyd L. Thompson
Feb 27, 1932
-
Charles E. Farkas, Sr.
May 27, 1933
-
Delbert Thompson
May 27, 1933
-
Howard C. Wagner
Jun 30, 1934
-
Ronald S. St. Germain, Sr.
Aug 19, 1967
-
Thomas J. DeRue, Sr.
Nov 14, 1974
-
Paul Richard Deguch
Aug 24, 1997
-
Scott Lee Severns
Apr 23, 2006
-
Nick Samuel Polizzotto
Apr 24, 2007
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from South Bend Police Department are honored on badge.nw.











