Officer Down Memorial Page

Officer Crouse thank you for your dedication to our country, our community, and to V.T. You lost your life in such a tragic and senseless way. R.I.P officer. I pray for your wife and 5 boys daily. May God watch over them and comfort them in these very difficult times. Peace to you and your family.

Erika H.
member of the Blacksburg community
December 12, 2011

Rest in peace thy good and faithful servant.

Sergeant Sherri Luke
Florida A&M University Department of Public Safety
December 12, 2011

Rest in Peace, Brother. Thank you for your service.

Sgt. Kevin Kratz
Buena Vista Twp Police Department (Michigan)
December 12, 2011

Edmund Burke said "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. Do not allow evil to triumph. Do not do sit by and do nothing." Officer Crouse was was a good man doing something important in the fight against evil. His life mattered to us all, as does his untimely and unfortunate passing. We sent our own daughter to Tech trusting that her four years there would be happy and productive. Because of him and others like him, they were! With aching hearts, we are praying for his wife and family. May they know how sorry we are for their loss.

Sharon Cooper
Prince William County Public Schools
December 12, 2011

Fallen Officer, Deriek W. Crouse , You Sir and your Family and all of your Police Family will be in my thoughts and Prayers today . It is a sad and difficult thing to see one of your Police Brothers die so young , trying to protect and serve his community . Many will assemble today to pay their respects and honor the Son , Husband , Father , and Brother that you are , that will never change . You ...are the example of what all Police Officers should be , dedicated , loyal , a servant that was willing to pay the ultimate price for his fellow man . There is a special place for you in Heaven , May you patrol the streets of Heaven , looking down and protecting your Family and your Bothers and Sisters of the Law Enforcement Community , and the citizens that you loved enough to give your life for , you are a true American Hero , Rest in Peace Brother, You will never be Forgotten ...Hokie Hero Forever.

Titus E. Burgess , Master Trooper ( Reti
Virginia State Police
December 12, 2011

Someone special
Died today,
Leaving this world
Lonely, bleak, and gray.
He was a man in blue
With a badge and a gun,
Who left behind
A wife, a mother, a son.
His warm sad tears
Wet the earth as he died,
While his brothers in blue
Wept and cried.
His badge now rests
Upon his still breast,
A shining bright star
Among a dark blue chest.
Though the sun will warm
Another summer day,
The world is so cold
Cause someone special died today.

by Lydia Warner Miller


RIP DERIEK, YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE CROUSE FAMILY DURING THIS TRAGIC TIME.

Deputy Lisa Shark
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
December 12, 2011

My son and his wife met and worked on the Tech Rescue Squad and are still very active. Ryan is on his way this morning, wearing his uniform, probably. He is a Paramedic/Firefighter for Fairfax Co.
My heart is with Officer Crouse's family this day and the holiday season...Thank you for keeping our children safe!

Parent of Ryan
Fairfax County Fire/Rescue and Alex. City Public Schools
December 12, 2011

Thank you for your service and God Bless your family.
You are in our prayers, The Postons'

The Postons'
December 12, 2011

What a life of service Officer Crouse provided to America throughout his entire adult life. And it carried over in his provision of a home for a blended family. May each member of the family be touched by our Lord in a special way, as they deal with the pain and absence of their father and husband.

Douglas Johnson, Class of '77
Carriere, Mississippi
December 12, 2011

my husban was shot and kill too god bless you and your family you will be in my prays if you need anything just let me no call chesapeake police dept they will let me no god bless you and keep you

virginia gallimore
cheasapeake police dept.
December 12, 2011

The outpouring of sympathy and sincere respect from the Virginia Tech community is overwhelming. I envy every officer working on that campus.

God bless you all for your words on these pages, you have proven that the Police who serve you are truly appreciated and you cannot imagine how far that goes for them.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.
December 12, 2011

His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"

Author unknown

May God be with everyone

Motor Officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, TX
December 12, 2011

Our youngest son, Dennis, serves on Montgomery, Alabama PD. Only 1 year after graduation, his best friend, Keith Houts, was shot on the streets of Montgomery in a traffic stop. He died 09/30/2006.

May your family and community be comforted knowing Deriek was a true hero. God speed, Officer Crouse.

Michael P Savoie
Albany PD (retired)
December 12, 2011

I am so sorry my brother, and I will keep your family in my prayers. Your sacrifice was not in vain, as it prevented what might have been an even worse incident. God Bless.

Special Agent Jim Rice
FBIHQ
December 12, 2011

You are a hero to us all. God bless you and your family.

Detective Steven Clothier
Myrtle Beach Police Dept., SC
December 12, 2011

Thank You. For Everything.

Edward - Student
December 12, 2011

Rest in Peace Officer Crouse. Your service and dedication are deeply appreciated. May God look after your family.

Dan Schmidt
VT Class of '85
December 12, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Thomas Kelly Senior Federal Air Marshal
December 12, 2011

Officer Crouse, there are not enough words in the world to thank you for giving your life to protect our Hokie Nation. You were a true hero, and we will not forget you. I pray that God watches over your family, and hope that you will continue to look down and protect us as best you can. Another Hokie angel has gone to heaven - rest in peace, sir.

Lindsay West
VT '09
December 12, 2011

Your family, friends and all those who knew you will forever be in our thoughts and prayers as we mourn your loss. In time we will heal, but shall never forget.

Deputy
LCSO
December 12, 2011

A man of honor, of service and dedication passed due to the deranged act of a misguided individual. So tragic. Thank you for your service to the community and the nation. May your family, friends and co-workers always remember the devoted, caring and loving man you were. Officer Crouse.....may you forever Rest in Peace.

Captain R. A. Gros, (Ret)
U . S. Park Police,
December 12, 2011

My thoughts and prayers go out to VTPD, Blacksburg PD, MCSO, and to the family of Officer Crouse. You are gone but not forgotten. What did we do to deserve such a hero?

Officer A.F. Cathell
Wise Police Department
December 12, 2011

Thank you Officer Crouse for your efforts, especially against drunk driving, in the Blacksburg community. Your work did not go unnoticed, and the effects will be undoubtedly last for a long time. I am one of many that is incredibly saddened by the loss this senseless tragedy has brought upon us, but I am at the same time proud to have called you a fellow member of the Virginia Tech community.

Evan M.
VT 14'
December 12, 2011

I am so sorry to hear the news of a fallen Brother. All my prayers, along with those of my fellow officers in the NYPD, are with the family, friends, and Officers of the Virginia Tech Police Department. Rest in Peace Officer Crouse.

PO Santiago
NYPD
December 12, 2011

May you rest in peace and watch over your family as an angel. You are an angel, hero, and a grew person that we will never forget.

J. Putnam
Friend
December 12, 2011