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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
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- 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.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Curtis is the only officer of Creswell Police Department remembered here.
Curtis is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 remembered there.
Curtis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Curtis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 2 officers in OR were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Curtis was 31. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43.
Curtis was 31. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Curtis was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 12.2% of these deaths in OR, more than any other month. Fridays: 19.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Creswell Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 9.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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