Thomas J. DeRue, Sr.

South Bend Police Dept. — South Bend, IN

Felonious

End of Watch November 14, 1974

Age 28

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Badge 168

The Vigil Panel 114 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

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: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. 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 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

Department South Bend Police Dept.

Location South Bend, IN

Platform Identity sbpd.stjoseph.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 14, 1974

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 28

Badge Number 168

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to 15-25 years

Corporal Thomas J. DeRue, Sr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At South Bend Police Dept., 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.

South Bend Police Dept.

of 15 officers

73.3% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious