Police Officer I Deriek W. Crouse

Officer Crouse, i'm sorry for what happened to you that day almost 14 years ago, as your murder was coldblooded and was vile in every way. To start off, the man who killed you had no connection with you whatsoever, and what possessed him that day to kill a police officer is beyond me, since he could've went on with his day, but instead he had other plans. What also bothers me is the fact he was a coward, as he took his own life once confronted by another officer, which goes to show that he couldn't accept accounatability for his actions. What doesn't make sense to me is to why people target police in the first thing. There shouldn't be a reason to kill an officer at all, since police are one of the backbones of America, and they put their lives at risk everyday they go to work, and they know that they have a huge chance of not making it home, but with how society is now it's only gotten worse as people are just as corrupt like they were at the time of your passing. To put it forth, the spineless coward who took your life dug his own grave, as he's rotting in the ground as we speak, as he's being taken care of in the deepest pits of hell. However, i'd like to focus on the positive side of things; For one, i'd like to personally salute you for your service as a soldier for the US Army, as you not only protected the students and staff at Virginia Tech, but your country as well, so i gotta personally thank you for protecting our country with selflessness and bravery. It not only takes alot to become a police officer, but to become a soldier beforehand takes a great amount of bravery and strength, and if that doesn't hint at how brave and courageous you were, i don't know what will. Also, from what i read is that after the virginia tech shooting happened a few years prior to your death, that was around the same time after it happened you joined the VT police department. From what i believe, is that you joined because you didn't want another tragedy like that to happen again, which is why i think you chose that department to protect the staff and students, and that shows how much you cared for their safety, since there's alot of crazy and unwell people who are crazy enough to do such things. I think that during your 4 years of protecting the campus on Virginia Tech, i'd say you did a great job at ensuring the public safety of the campus and staff there, along with the rest of the residents of the surrounding area since it was outwards from the campus. However, i'd like to think that as of now your children know who their father is, as not only did that scumbag take away a police officer, he took away a husband, father, son, and a friend to others. I'd like to believe that your kids have learned about your legacy and the things you did not just as an officer, but as a soldier as well since you were more than just a brave man who protected others. It's a shame that you were taken away from your family, all because some spineless coward wanted to take his anger out on others, and unfortunately he did what he did, and his actions are unjustified. As of now, i believe that you're now the guardian angel of your family as you're protecting your children and wife from any harm and evil that may reach their way, just like how you protected others and the people of Virginia Tech, as your children can rest at night knowing that their father is protecting them spiritually, as you watch over them and guard them during the night and day. Although your case overall is awful, atleast we know now that the man who took your life is receiving his punishment in the afterlife, as Karma has dealt with him. Although i think it should've been different, we know that despite him being a coward, he was brave enough to dig up his own grave and throw himself in, since he was obviously somebody who either needed to be put down, or sealed away from society permanently. Though he's gone, it still won't make up the fact he murdered a police officer for absolutely no reason at all. But despite all of that, it won't bruise a reputation like yours since you were a light in the darkness for those who were stuck in a dark place, and you were somebody who could pull them out of said place. And although i never knew or met you, i think you were a great person to meet and talk to, since you were somebody that anybody could trust since you were one to get the job done, since your time in the Army is what instilled your discipline and desire to serve and protect, and you fulfilled that perfectly. I know that the people with Virginia Tech admired your service, since there's not many officers like you that exist, since some either don't do their job, or they let the power get to their head and fall down a spiral they can't dig out of. I believe that with officers like you who have once set the example for others, it's safe to say that you were able to inspire others to do better and change their ways, and if they needed your guidance, they knew they could talk to you about it. While you're not here physically, i believe that your impact and sacrifice is one that is felt by others, even to those that never met you, but i believe that as long as others learn about your story and who you were as a person, it doesn't mean that you're truly dead as you live on in the hearts and minds of others, and that your children will carry your legacy where it was left off. But as of now, may you rest in peace knowing that your service is appreciated, and that the coward who took your life is also gone, as he won't bother anyone else again, since he wasn't a human, but rather a demon taking the form of a human. Although you're gone, it still won't make your service as an officer and soldier fade, as your flame will never be put out no matter how much time goes on, and that those who continue to learn about you will know that you were a one of a kind. I believe that as long as your name is said and you're remembered for how you lived and what you did as an officer and soldier, you won't truly be dead, as your story is one that is still talked about, which goes to show you aren't forgotten. Rest Well Mr. Crouse

Morgan, a civilian supporter of the blue line

July 4, 2025