Derek Trusk

Anaheim Police Dept. — Anaheim, CA

Suicide Honored

End of Watch October 8, 2017

Age 46

The Vigil Panel 167 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Biography

Officer Derek Trusk knew he wanted to work in law enforcement from the age of six years old. He seemed to have a calling for this as he had a natural instinct for knowing when things just weren’t right. Derek was a good police officer and all of his partners throughout the years would say how much they enjoyed working with him. Derek received numerous “Officer of the Year” awards and even received a “Life Saving” award after saving a man from a burning vehicle while off-duty. He took pride in his career and would frequently take the public on ride-alongs which often left lasting positive impressions. He was always chosen for specialized training and excelled at everything he did. Derek loved his job and did it extremely well. While off-duty, Derek had other passions and interests. One of his favorite ways to spend his time was hanging out with his children and other close family members who he loved dearly. He was also an avid hiker and enjoyed going to Zion National Park to climb. He had a goal of seeing all of the National Parks. Derek was a compassionate animal lover, and even once raised a wild duck in his apartment until it was 6 months old. He loved to laugh, and he loved making other people laugh, which wasn’t hard since he was so funny. Derek loved the American flag and his country. Officer Trusk was a good officer and an even better person. He will be greatly missed by all the lives he touched.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-BDBBFC7A
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.

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Tributes

Officer Derek Trusk served with the Anaheim Police Department.
Thank you for your service. We will always remember your sacrifice.
You belong on this wall. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Anaheim Police Dept.

Location Anaheim, CA

Platform Identity apd.orange.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 8, 2017

Age 46

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Suicide

Derek Trusk is one of 256 officers honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job across the full record of this memorial — 0.8% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In CA, 17 of 1,837 officers were honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job — 0.9% of this state's fallen. That is 0.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0.8%.

At Anaheim Police Dept., 2 of 6 officers on record were honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.

Anaheim Police Dept.

of 6 officers

33.3% Suicide

CA — Statewide

of 1,837 officers

0.9% Suicide

Nationwide

256

of 32,508 officers

0.8% Suicide