St. Joseph County Police Department Memorial

 

Police Department's Memorial's

for St. Joseph County, Indiana


 

We Remember...

Police Department radio code; 10-42. They have gone home for the final time...

South Bend Police Department. 05/11/1896

Officer Oscar Christensen
Officer Christensen was accidentally shot and killed by a railroad detective. Officer Christensen was investigating a 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.

 

(No Photo)

South Bend Police Department. 11/01/1900

Patrolman Samuel Cooper
Patrolman Cooper was shot as he attempted to arrest an armed robbery suspect. After being shot, Cooper returned fire and wounded the suspect. Cooper was shot 10-25-1900 and died 11-01-1900 from an infection from the gun shot wound.

 

(No Photo)

South Bend Police Department. 02/25/1908

Patrolman Lewis Keller
Patrolman 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 fird 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

 

South Bend Police Department. 05/22/1916

Officer Hans B. Brandt
Officer Brandt and Officer Ferger were on patrol when they found two intoxicated men walking along Brookfield Street. The two intoxicated men were very loud and causing a disturbance. The officers asked the two men to go home, which they refused and a verbal argument began between the officers and the intoxicated men. One of the men pulled a gun from his pocket and shot officer Brandt in the chest. Officer Ferger knocked the gun out of the mans hand with his night stick, and then struck the man several times with his night stick. The other man pulled a knife on officer Ferger and officer Ferger knocked the knife from the mans hand with his knight stick then struck him to the ground. Both intoxicated men were arrested and after officer Brandts death, both were charged with murder. Officer Brandt died one month after being shot from a severe infection from his gun shot wound. Officer Brandt had only been an officer one month before his death.

 

(No Photo)

South Bend Police Department. 01/10/1921

Officer Fred T. Buland
Officer Buland, age 37, and several other officers were investigating a report of shots fired. When they arrived in the area, they found 2 men with guns. The guns were confiscated and the 2 men arrested. The 2 men arrested were not searched and one of the men had another gun hidden on him. This man then ran from officers before he could be handcuffed. As he ran, he turned and fired several shots at the officers, striking officer Buland twice and killing him.

 

(No Photo)

South Bend Police Department. 10/25/1923

Officer Neil McIntyre

Officer Neil McIntyre was killed when he was struck by a train while riding his motorcycle. Officer McIntyre was responding to a burglary in progress call in River Park when he was struck by a train at the Grand Trunk crossing at Western and Michigan Streets.

 

Mishawaka Police Department. 06/10/1930

Patrolman Clarence Casper
Officer Casper while on duty was speeding west on Mishawaka Ave. on his police motorcycle when it crashed into the side of a car driven by a, Mr. Frank Jackson, while he failed in an attempt to cut around in front of Mr. Jackson who was making a left hand turn onto Mishawaka Ave. Those who saw the accident say the police motorcycle skidded nearly 40 feet before hitting the car. The sole of Casper's shoe was nearly worn through. An examination of Casper's injuries at the hospital revealed a fractured skull, a broken right leg, and ruptured liver. Internal hemorrhages are believed to have hastened death.

 

South Bend Police Department. 02/27/1932

Officer Lloyd Thompson

Officer Lloyd Thompson was killed when he collided with a truck while on his motorcycle. Officer Thompson was in pursuit of a speeding car when the truck pulled into his path. It was later determined that the car Officer Thompson was pursuing was driven by a father rushing his son to the hospital

 

South Bend Police Department. 05/27/1933

Officer Charles E. Farkas

Officer Charles Farkas was also shot and killed by Donald Murdock. Officer Farkas and his partner, Officer Daniel Martin, had spotted Murdock after he fled the killing of Officer Thompson. As Officers Farkas and Martin were exiting their vehicle, Murdock opened fire killing Officer Farkas and wounding Officer Martin. Officer Martin was able to return fire and kill Murdock.

 

South Bend Police Department. 05/27/1933

Officer Delbert Thompson

Officer Delbert Thompson was shot and killed while investigating a stolen auto. Officer Thompson had stopped the stolen auto when one of the occupants, Donald Murdock, shot and killed him. At the time, Murdock was wanted for 5 bank robberies. After shooting Officer Thompson, Murdock fled the scene.

 

South Bend Police Department. 06/30/1934

Patrolman Howard C. Wagner

Slain during the bank robbery of the ' Merchant's National Bank ' of South Bend, Indiana, by the ' John Dillinger Gang. Patrolman Wagner was gunned down as he raced across the street toward the bank as it was being robbed. Some say ' Baby-Face- Nelson ' was the shooter & others say it was ' Homer VanMeter ' both of the " John Dillinger Gang".

 

(No Photo)
St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office. 05/25/1962

Mumford, James (Lieutenant)

Lieutenant Deputy James William Mumford
St. Joseph County Police Department
Indiana

End of Watch: Friday, May 25, 1962

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: Friday, May 25, 1962
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available

Lieutenant James Mumford was killed in an automobile accident when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree in Lakeville.

 

South Bend Police Department. 08/19/1967

Patrolman Ronald R. St. Germain
Patrolman Ronald St. Germain died from internal hemorrhaging after having a motorcycle wreck on Jackson Rd. St. Germain was returning on his three wheeled cycle after escorting a caravan carrying retarded children to a circus at the St. Joseph 4-H fairgrounds when his cycle ran off the road, crashed through a metal fence, and he was pitched head first into a tree. Suffering a broken neck and internal bleeding.

 

South Bend Police Department. 11/14/1974

Corporal Thomas J. DeRue Sr.
Patrolman DeRue was shot as he arrived at the scene of a hold-up at Jennifer's, a woman's apparel shop. DeRue had parked his squad car across the sidewalk in an alley a few feet east of the store, apparently blocking the path of the fleeing robber. DeRue slumped over in the seat of his squad car had taken two gun shots from the fleeing bandit. Once in the chest and once in the abdomen. He died from internal bleeding as he sat in his squad car.

 

South Bend Police Department. 08/24/1997

Corporal Paul Richard Deguch
Corporal Deguch was shot and killed while questioning a suspect. Corporal Deguch had stopped the suspect who was riding a bike in a high drug traffic area and while patting him down the suspect produced a handgun and shot him several times, including once in the head. Corporal Deguch died approximately one hour later at a local hospital. The 16 year old suspect was arrested three hours later and charged with murder. Corporal Deguch is survived by his wife, 2 month old daughter, and 3 and 5 year old sons.

 

 

Mishawaka Police Department. 12-13-2003

Corporal Thomas Roberts
12-13-2003

Corporal Thomas Roberts and Patrolman Verkler were shot and killed after they responded to a call of shots being fired. The suspect had a dispute with a neighbor, and during the dispute, he fired several rounds into the air prompting residents to call the police. When Patrolman Verkler and Corporal Roberts arrived, they were lead to a house where the suspect was hiding.

The officers attempted to lure the suspect out. When the suspect exited the house, he opened fire on the officers, striking them both. Corporal Roberts and Patrolman Verkler were able to return fire and strike the suspect once. Corporal Roberts died at the scene, and Patrolman Verkler was transported to a local hospital where he died two hours later during surgery.

After shooting Patrolman Verkler and Corporal Roberts, the wounded suspect shot and killed himself.

Corporal Roberts had served with the Mishawaka Police Department for 14 years, and is survived by his two daughters.

 

Mishawaka Police Department. 12/13/2003

Bryan Verkler

Bryan's Memorial

 

South Bend Police Department. 04/23/2006

Corporal Scott Severns

Corporal Scott Severns age 36, was shot in an attempted armed robbery April 21, 2006, and succumbed to gunshot wounds April 23, 2006, 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 male juveniles approached and attempted to rob them. One juvenile was armed with a handgun. Corporal Severns drew his gun and stepped in front of his friend as one suspect started firing. Corporal Severns managed to return fire, wounding the juvenile suspect, but not before sustaining several bullet wounds himself.

Both juvenile suspects were apprehended and charged.

Corporal Severns had served with the South Bend Police Department for eight years, and was selected Officer of the year in 2004. He is survived by his parents and sister.

 

 

South Bend Police Department. 04/24/2007

On 4/24/2007, At 01:39 AM this date, the SBPD Dispatch Center received a call of shots fired in the 1700 block of Lincoln Way East. Officers arriving on the scene were then directed to the Wooden Indian Motel, located at 1631 Lincoln Way East. Moments later the officers were able to locate an armed man and were attempting to detain him when the subject shot both officers. During the encounter, Patrolman Michael Norby was shot and wounded and Corporal Nick S. Polizzotto, a nine year veteran of the South Bend Police Department, was shot and killed. The suspect in this case was also fatally wounded by gunfire during the exchange.

 

Craig S. Toner    
June 9, 1959 - Nov. 1, 2008
SOUTH BEND - Craig S. Toner, 49, died Saturday November 1, 2008. Craig was born June 9, 1959 in South Bend to the late Russell L. and Elsie Mae (Gottman) Toner. Craig graduated from Penn High School, served in the U.S. Air Force and was a Mishawaka Police Officer for 19 years. He served as the Chief of Police for the City of Roseland for the past year and had been with the department for four years. Surviving Craig is a daughter, Angelia C. (Jack) Goens; a son, Spencer Lee Toner; a granddaughter, Keira Roslynn Goens; two brothers, Kerry A. and Douglas D.. Craig was preceded in death by a brother, Gregory. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7 in the HICKEY Funeral Homes, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, IN 46635, interment will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to: Scott Severns Memorial fund, c/o Policeman's Federal Credit Union, 1130 S. Main St., South Bend, IN 46601 or Muscular Dystrophy Association, 314 W. Catalpa Dr., Mishawaka, IN 46545.

Roseland police chief killed in hit-and-run crash

SUV strikes motorcycle, runs over victim.

By PABLO ROS
Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND — Roseland Chief of Police Craig Toner is dead after his motorcycle was hit by a car Saturday on Ironwood Drive near Rockne Drive, police said.

The crash was reported about 3:20 p.m. after a man driving erratically in a gray Honda Pilot SUV allegedly crossed the centerline as he drove south on Ironwood Drive and struck Toner’s motorcycle, witnesses told police.

Toner reportedly landed on the hood of the SUV before dropping to the ground.

The driver of the SUV, who The Tribune is not naming because he has not been formally charged, reportedly stopped his vehicle, got out and “surveyed the scene,” police said.

But he then got back inside and allegedly left the scene after driving over the victim.

Amy Burns of South Bend was at the scene and said the driver of the SUV sped away after a man tried to stop him.

The driver of the SUV was arrested after he crashed his vehicle into a fence and a tree several hundred yards south. Witnesses said he drove erratically and was trying to pass other vehicles when his car veered off the road.

It’s unclear if he was intoxicated, pending results of blood alcohol tests, although police allege that he was.

Toner was a Roseland town marshal and was off duty at the time of the crash. He was pronounced dead from his injuries at Memorial Hospital.

Police said Toner was not wearing a helmet.

News of Toner’s death came as a blow to Roseland Town Council President Elizabeth McCombs, who choked back tears as she described Toner as an “exceptional officer” and a “caring, loving individual.”

“The loss of Chief Craig Toner is the most devastating loss the town has had to endure,” she said.

Toner joined Roseland police four years ago as a lieutenant, McCombs said, and had been chief for just over a year. Before that, he was an officer at the Mishawaka Police Department for 19 years, she said.

McCombs said a memorial for Toner would be set up in the area of Indiana 933 and Pendle Street.

One of Toner’s coworkers, Assistant Marshall Aaron Catanzarite, remembered Toner as “not just a coworker but a best friend.”

“He is a best friend to me,” Catanzarite said. “We were brothers.”

Toner was “very passionate” about motorcycles, Catanzarite said.

According to Tribune archives, Toner was the victim of a crash in 1996 when a car turned into his path of travel and struck his motorcycle. He was treated for back pain.

Police are still investigating Saturday’s crash.

The Fatal Alcohol Crash Team is asking anyone with information about the crash to call Capt. Tim Spencer of the Mishawaka Police Department at 574-259-2966 or Sgt. Gene Eyster of the South Bend Police Department at 574-235-9201.

The driver of the SUV suffered cuts to his face and head, police said, and was taken to Memorial Hospital for treatment.

He has been arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated causing death and leaving the scene of a fatal crash.

 

May 17, 1967 - Jan 09, 2010

Mishawaka Police Cpl. James Szuba, K-9 partner killed in traffic accident

By HOWARD DUKES
Tribune Staff Writer

Story was first posted at 10:06 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2010.

Mishawaka Police Cpl. James Szuba, 42, and his K-9 partner, Ricky, were killed in a traffic accident late Saturday night.

Szuba joined the Mishawaka Police Department on Feb. 26, 2002. His K-9 partner Ricky, was 8 years old.

The accident occurred about 9:20 p.m. on Byrkit Street just south of McKinley Avenue, according to Mishawaka Police Chief Mike Samp.

Samp said the officer involved in the accident was providing assistance on a call and was traveling southbound on Fir when the squad car was sideswiped by another vehicle.

The driver of that vehicle has been identified as Shawn Devine, 31, of Mishawaka, according to a news release issued early Sunday morning from the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office.

Police believe alcohol is a factor in the crash, according to the news release. Devine was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Toxicology tests have been performed, according to the news release. The Fatal Alcohol Crash Team is investigating the accident.

Cpl. Szuba's badly damaged squad car was on the side of the BP service station, which on the southeast corner of McKinley and Byrkit. Fir Road turns into Byrkit Street on the south side of McKinley.

The accident forced the closure of McKinley for about a half mile.

In addition, to the FACT unit, officers from the Indiana State Police and the St. Joseph County Police provided assistance.

A witness to the accident, Dale Edmiston, called WSBT-TV, saying he rendered aid to the driver of the overturned SUV, the second vehicle in the accident.

Edmiston, who said he is a former Illinois firefighter, said a man in the SUV was the only person in that vehicle.

"My cousin climbed through the passenger window to check on the man. I got (the man) talking and kept assuring him and seeing what his injuries were," Edmiston said. He said the SUV driver was pinned against the vehicle's steering wheel.

Samp said the officer was using lights and siren when the accident happened.

Edmiston told WSBT the officer's emergency lights were on, but no siren was being used when the accident happened.

 

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Started: January 03, 2006

Updated: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 07:04:43 PM