Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Curtis Van Derson was shot and killed when he was ambushed while responding to a bank robbery call at the Community Bank of Creswell at 265 East Oregon Avenue. He was shot by a suspect armed with a rifle who was in an ambush position across the street from the bank. The suspect who murdered Officer Van Derson served only 14 years in prison for the murder. He was later convicted of manslaughter for another murder and was again released from prison. In 2008 he was convicted of attempted murder for a plot to murder a Lane County deputy district attorney. Officer Van Derson's wife working as the dispatcher for the two-person department and dispatched him to the call after receiving a silent alarm alert from the bank.
Survivors
Officer Van Derson was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-E7A8CAC8- 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 Curtis. 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.
Police Officer Van Derson served with the Creswell Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Creswell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Van Derson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Curtis Avery Van Derson 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 OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 4.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Curtis Avery Van Derson's cause is highlighted.
How Curtis Avery Van Derson Compares
Offender Outcome
Released after 14 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Curtis Avery Van Derson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Curtis Avery Van Derson was killed by rifle.