Creswell Police Department, Oregon
End of Watch Friday, November 5, 1971
Add to My HeroesCurtis Avery Van Derson
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.
Officer Van Derson was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
Bio
- Age 31
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle
- Offender Released after 14 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsI was working at a service station 1/2 block away and heard the gunshot. I have thought of Officer Van Derson often in the last 47 years. I will visit the national memorial in DC this spring.
Poor legal system.
Later I spent 5 years On Springfield PD in the mid 70’s
David Young
Springfield PD
March 29, 2018
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