Corporal
Paul Richard Deguch
South Bend Police Department
Sunday, August 24, 1997

Age: 30
Served: 7 years
Badge #: 454
Panel 44E, Line 20
Panel L2, Line 8

Incident Details

Cause of Death:
Gunfire
Date/Time of Incident:
Sunday, August 24, 1997
08:25 pm
Incident to Death Duration:
Same day
Incident Location:
1024 Talbot Avenue, South Bend
Incident County:
St. Joseph
Incident Township:
Portage
Weapon Used:
.38-caliber handgun
Suspect Disposition:
Sentenced to life without parole
(currently incarcerated)
Burial Place:
Saint Joseph Cemetery, South Bend

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   Corporal Paul Deguch was shot and killed while questioning a suspect who was riding a bike in a high drug traffic area.

   As the suspect was being searched, he produced a handgun and shot Corporal Deguch several times, including once in the head, and died at the scene.

   The 16-year-old suspect was arrested three hours later and charged with murder. In a death penalty case, he was later convicted but sentenced to life in prison without parole.

   Corporal Deguch was survived by his wife, 2-month-old daughter and two young sons.

Historical Note

• The 16-year-old offender is the seventh-youngest known to be involved in a line of duty death in Indiana.



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Corporal Paul Richard Deguch - South Bend Police Department - INLEM.org