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Incident
Corporal Nick Polizzotto was shot and killed while investigating a report of shots being fired at 1:37 am near an unoccupied nightclub in the 1700 block of Lincoln Way East.
He and another officer arrived on the scene and were directed by witnesses to the suspect's room at the Wooden Indian Motel at 1631 Lincoln Way East. As they attempted to question the suspect at his door, the man shot at both officers, who returned fire. Corporal Polizzotto was killed in the exchange and the other officer was wounded. The suspect was killed by the officers.
Corporal Polizzotto had served with the South Bend Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his 8-year-old son, brother, sister, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Polizzotto gave the South Bend Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the South Bend community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Polizzotto.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Bend Police Department has lost 15 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Nick is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Nick is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nick is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2007, 1 officer at South Bend Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1933, with 2.
In 2007, 3 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 2007, 84 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2007, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Nick was 34. Of the 11 killed feloniously at South Bend Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 39; the middle age was 36. Nick had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Nick was 34. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Nick had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Nick was 34. 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. Nick had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nick was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Nick had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 18.2% of these deaths at South Bend Police Department; November holds the most, 18.2%. Tuesdays: 9.1%.
April holds 8.7% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Tuesdays: 15.8%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 73.3% of all 15 deaths at South Bend Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 6.1% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
South Bend Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Nick among them.
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Oscar W. Christensen
May 11, 1897
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Lewis Keller
Feb 25, 1898
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Samuel Cooper Nov 1, 1900
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Hans B. Brandt
Jun 18, 1916
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Fred E. Buhland Jan 10, 1921
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Neil Mason McIntyre
Dec 25, 1923
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Lloyd L. Thompson
Feb 27, 1932
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Charles E. Farkas, Sr.
May 27, 1933
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Delbert Thompson
May 27, 1933
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Howard C. Wagner
Jun 30, 1934
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Ronald S. St. Germain, Sr.
Aug 19, 1967
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Thomas J. DeRue, Sr.
Nov 14, 1974
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Paul Richard Deguch
Aug 24, 1997
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Scott Lee Severns
Apr 23, 2006
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Nick Samuel Polizzotto
Apr 24, 2007
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from South Bend Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
