Roll of Honor
Incident
Corporal Thomas DeRue was shot and killed while responding to an armed robbery at Jennifer's at 119 W. Colfax Avenue in South Bend. As Corporal DeRue arrived on the scene around 1:00 p.m., 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. The suspect, who was wanted for a parole violation, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life. His sentence was later reduced to 15 to 25 years, which he served. Since his release, he has been in and out of prison for eight other felonies. His last sentence was for seven years on October 9, 2013, for stealing meat from a South Bend grocery store. Corporal DeRue had served with the South Bend Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-9007F367- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal DeRue gave the South Bend Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the South Bend community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal DeRue.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corporal Thomas J. DeRue Sr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 61.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At South Bend Police Department, 11 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas J. DeRue Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. DeRue Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. DeRue Sr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. DeRue Sr. was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from South Bend Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
