Fallen Officers
in memoriam
In honor and memory of the members of the South Bend Police Department who have died in the line of duty, we remember and salute the officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties. Their courage and service to the South Bend Police Department will never be forgotten.
Corporal nick samuel polizzotto
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Incident Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Age: 34
Rank: Corporal
End of Watch: Tuesday April 24, 2007
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. Corporal Polizzotto and another officer arrived on the scene and were directed by witnesses to the suspect’s room at the Wooden Indian Motel nearby. As they attempted to question the suspect at his door, the suspect 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. He was survived by his 8-year-old son, brother, sister and parents.
Corporal Scott Lee Severns
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Incident Date: Sunday, April 21, 2006
Age: 36
End of Watch: Sunday, April 23, 2006
Corporal Scott Severns succumbed to gunshot wounds suffered two days earlier while attempting to take police action during a robbery when he was off duty.
Corporal Severns was walking to his car with a friend when two men approached and attempted to rob them. One man was armed with a handgun. Corporal Severns drew his gun and stepped in front of his friend and pushed her to the ground as one suspect started firing. He managed to return fire, wounding the suspect, but not before suffering several bullet wounds himself. Corporal Severns was taken to a local hospital where he died two days later from his injuries.
Both suspects were apprehended following the shooting and charged with murder. The juvenile suspect who shot Corporal Severns was charged as an adult and later pleaded guilty to murder and attempted robbery.
Corporal Severns was a third-generation officer with the South Bend Police Department and had served for eight years. He is survived by his parents, sister, and half-brother.
Corporal Paul Richard Deguch
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Incident Date: Sunday, August 24, 1997
Age: 30
Rank: Corporal
End of Watch: Sunday, August 24, 1997
Corporal Paul Deguch was shot and killed while questioning a suspect who was riding a bike in a high drug traffic area. The suspect produced a handgun and shot Corporal Deguch several times, including once in the head, as he was being searched for weapons. Corporal Deguch was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to wound one hour later.
The 16-year-old suspect was arrested three hours later and charged with murder. On July 9, 1999, the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Corporal Deguch had served with the South Bend Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife, 2-month-old daughter and two young sons.
Corporal thomas J. DeRue, Sr.
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Incident Date: Thursday, November 14, 1974
Age: 28
Rank: Corporal
End of Watch: Thursday, November 14, 1974
Corporal Thomas DeRue was shot and killed while responding to an armed robbery. As he arrived on the scene 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.
Corporal DeRue had served with the South Bend Police Department for six years. He was survived by his expectant wife.
Patrolman Ronald S. St. Germain, Sr.
Cause of Death: Motorcycle crash
Incident Date: Saturday, August 19, 1967
Age: 32
Rank: Patrolman
End of Watch: Saturday, August 19, 1967
Patrolman Ronald St. Germain was killed in a motorcycle accident after escorting a caravan carrying handicapped children to a circus at the fairgrounds. While returning on his three-wheeled motorcycle, it ran off the roadway crashing through a metal fence before causing Patrolman St. Germain to be thrown head first into a tree, causing a broken neck and internal bleeding which he died from.
Patrolman St. Germain had served with the South Bend Police Department for three years.
Patrolman Howard C. Wagner
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Incident Date: Saturday, June 30, 1934
Age: 29
Rank: Patrolman
End of Watch: Saturday, June 30, 1934
Patrolman Howard Wagner was shot and killed while investigating a group of men standing in front of the Merchants National Bank in the downtown area.
As he approached them more men came out of the bank, having just robbed it, and shot Patrolman Wagner. Upon investigation, it was determined that the men were members of the Dillinger Gang.
Led by John Dillinger, the Dillinger Gang was a notorious group of Midwest bank robbers. Associates of the gang were responsible for the fatal shootings of 13 law enforcement officers in 1933 and 1934.
Two infamous members of the gang, John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson, were shot and killed by law enforcement officers in separate incidents.
The other gang members were either murdered by criminals, shot and killed by law enforcement officers, executed for their crimes, or sentenced to time in prison.
Patrolman Charles E. Farkas, Sr.
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Incident Date: Saturday, May 27, 1933
Age: 37
Rank: Patrolman
End of Watch: Saturday, May 27, 1933
Patrolman Charles Farkas was shot and killed after he and his partner had spotted a suspect who was fleeing from the murder of Patrolman Delbert Thompson while he investigated a stolen vehicle.
As Patrolman Farkas and his partner were exiting their vehicle, the suspect opened fire killing Patrolman Farkas and wounding his partner. Patrolman Farkas’ partner was able to return fire and killed the suspect.
Patrolman Farkas had served with the South Bend Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and four children.
Patrolman Delbert Thompson
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Incident Date: Saturday, May 27, 1933
Age: 43
Rank: Patrolman
End of Watch: Saturday, May 27, 1933
Patrolman Delbert Thompson was shot and killed while investigating a stolen automobile.
Patrolman Thompson had stopped the vehicle when one of its occupants, who at the time was wanted for five bank robberies, shot and killed him.
The vehicle and its occupants fled the scene, but were spotted and stopped by Patrolman Farkas and his partner. As the officers were exiting their vehicle, the suspect opened fire killing Patrolman Farkas and wounding his partner. Patrolman Farkas’ partner was able to return fire and killed the suspect.
Patrolman Thompson had served with the South Bend Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters and son.
Patrolman Lloyd L. Thompson
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Incident Date: Saturday, February 27, 1932
Age: 27
Rank: Patrolman
End of Watch: Saturday, February 27, 1932
Patrolman Lloyd Thompson succumbed to injuries he suffered the previous day when his motorcycle collided with a truck.
Patrolman Thompson was pursuing a speeding vehicle at the time of the accident, but it was later determined the car was driven by a father rushing his son to the hospital.
Patrolman Thompson had served with the South Bend Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife.
Patrolman Neil McIntyre
Cause of Death: Motorcycle crash
Incident Date: Tuesday, December 25, 1923
Rank: Patrolman
End of Watch: Tuesday, December 25, 1923
Patrolman Neil McIntyre was killed while responding to a burglary call when the motorcycle he was driving was struck by a train at the Grand Trunk Railway crossing at Western and Michigan streets.
Patrolman Fred E. Buhland
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Incident Date: Monday, January 10, 1921
Age: 37
Rank: Patrolman
End of Watch: Monday, January 10, 1921
Patrolman Fred Buhland was shot and killed after he and several other officers were investigating shots fired. Upon their arrival, they found two intoxicated men holding guns. The guns were confiscated and the men arrested, but not searched, when one man ran from the officers. While fleeing, the man produced another gun, fired several shots and struck Patrolman Buhland twice, killing him. The suspect fled the scene and was never identified or apprehended.
Patrolman Buhland had served with the South Bend Police Department for only one month.
Patrolman Hans B. Brandt
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Incident Date: Monday, May 22, 1916
Rank: Patrolman
End of Watch: Sunday, June 18, 1916
Patrolman Hans Brandt succumbed to a severe infection from gunshot wounds suffered about one month earlier when he and his partner were attacked. He and his partner were walking their beat when they found two intoxicated men who were loud and causing a disturbance. When the suspects refused to leave the area, they began to argue with the officers. One of the suspects pulled a gun from his pocket and shot Patrolman Brandt in the chest.
Patrolman Brandt’s partner struck the gun from the suspect’s hand with his nightstick and knocked him to the ground, when the other suspect pulled a knife which was also struck from his hand before forcing him to the ground. Both suspects were arrested and upon Patrolman Brandt’s death, they were charged with murder.
Patrolman Brandt had served with the South Bend Police Department for only one month.
Patrolman Samuel Cooper
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Incident Date: Sunday, October 21, 1900
Age: 41
Rank: Patrolman
End of Watch: Thursday, November 1, 1900
Patrolman Samuel Cooper succumbed to an infection from gunshot wounds suffered one week earlier when he was attempting to arrest an armed robbery suspect. After being shot, Patrolman Cooper returned fire and wounded the suspect.
The suspect was convicted of Patrolman Cooper’s murder and sentenced to life in prison on June 21, 1901.
Patrolman Cooper was survived by his wife and daughter
Patrolman Lewis Keller
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Incident Date: Saturday, February 22, 1908
Rank: Patrolman
End of Watch: Tuesday, February 25, 1908
Patrolman Lewis Keller was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary in progress at a cigar store while walking his beat and checking buildings. He spotted an open door and as he entered the business a shot was fired at him. He returned fire and in the ensuing shootout both he and one of the suspects were mortally wounded. Four other suspects were apprehended. The suspect who was shot admitted, before dying, that he was the person who shot Patrolman Keller.
Officer Oscar W. Christensen
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Incident Date: Tuesday, May 11, 1897
Rank: Officer
End of Watch: Tuesday, May 11, 1886
Officer Oscar Christensen was accidentally shot and killed by a railroad detective. Officer Christensen was investigating vandalism in the railroad yards at the time. There had been reports of many hobos in the yards and it was thought that one of them was responsible for the killing. Several months after the killing, the railroad detective came forward and admitted his mistake.