Web Mistress note: Visit Memorials of Fallen Police Officers of St. Joseph County

Submitted by: Dan Rich

Scott Lee Severns

June 25, 1969 - April 23, 2006

South Bend Tribune 4/25/2006                                       

Scott Lee Severns, 36, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2006, in Memorial Hospital of South Bend. Scott was a police officer with the South Bend Police Department. He was born on June 25, 1969, in South Bend, Indiana. Scott is survived by his mother, Kathleen Karczewski of South Bend; his father, Dennis Severns and stepmother, Jeannie Severns of Merritt Island, Florida; a sister, Captain Denise Severns, United States Army, Arizona; a brother, Bryant Severns of Merritt Island, Florida; his paternal grandmother, B. Maxine Myers of Plymouth, Indiana; his former stepfather, Donald Karczewski of South Bend; a stepsister and stepbrother, Mrs. Anthony (Brooklyn) Jackson and Brandon Holcomb; and former stepbrothers and stepsister, Mark, Matt and Luke Karczewski, and Maureen Lauer; a step-nephew, Andrew Jackson; several cousins; his godchildren, Gabriella Costa and Joseph Delinski; his former wife, Elizabeth Maxey; and his beloved dog, Bruno. Also surviving are his uncle, Fred Severns of West Palm Beach, Florida; aunt, Mrs. Terry (Sandy) Krantz of Scottsdale, Arizona; cousins, Chris Severns of Indianapolis and Shelly Krantz-Paul of Arizona; step-uncle and step-aunts, Tom Myers, and Nancy and Ellen Myers of Plymouth, Indiana.

Scott was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Herbert Severns, and his maternal grandparents, Matthew and Anne (Biritz) Racwalski.

Scott was sworn in as a police officer on his birthday, June 25, 1997, and was a third-generation police officer following his father, Dennis Severns, and his grandfather, Herbert Severns. He was awarded Police Officer of the Year in 2005, with over 40 felony arrests, and several awards for Officer of the Month. Scott was a member of the South Bend Police Department Swat Team and the County Metro Drug Unit. Scott graduated from LaSalle High School in 1987 and Bethel College in 1992, with a degree in computer science and business administration. Scott played varsity football, basketball and baseball for South Bend LaSalle High School. He played baseball for Bethel College and was named NCAA College All-American Center Fielder. Scott spent many summers playing amateur baseball for Saint Jo AC's. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed lifting weights.

Scott loved spending time with his father lifting weights and going fishing when he visited him in Florida. Scott was a wonderful role model for his little brother, Bryant. He made a special point to encourage Bryant to do the right thing. Scott stressed to Bryant the importance of being a good student and a good citizen. Scott was very proud of his little sister, "Capt. Denise," for her success as a captain in the Army. Scott's father always called Scott his "Special Pal." The Pal stemmed from when dad coached the Police Athletic League. Scott was just a "little tike," about three or four years old, who loved to come to practice and watch the guys play. After practice was over he loved to run the bases and slide home, and then help his dad pick up the bats and balls.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 PM Thursday, April 27, 2006, at the Wiekamp Center on the campus of Bethel College, Mishawaka, Indiana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Friday, April 28, 2006, in St. Matthew Cathedral, South Bend, Indiana. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Scott Severns Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o the Policemen's Federal Credit Union, 1130 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601. Arrangements by the Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, Indiana.

South Bend Tribune 4/25/2006

SOUTH BEND -- They came in numbers. Some came with tears in their eyes. They all came to pay respect to their fallen brother. Police cars stretched as far as the eye could see to honor Cpl. Scott Severns, who was shot during an apparent robbery attempt in the 1300 block of South Clover Street late Friday night while trying to protect a female companion. He died early Sunday morning at Memorial Hospital.

About 250 police cars and vehicles showed their support for the fallen officer by meeting at about 9:30 p.m. Monday near the corner of McKinley Avenue and Hickory Road at the old Target store to begin a procession across town, eventually leading to the South Bend Police Department. They were his friends, his fellow police officers -- his family. But not just his South Bend Police Department family lent its support. Other area departments such as Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, South Bend Fire Department, Elkhart, LaPorte and Wakarusa showed up. When tragedy strikes one department, it strikes them all. "This is more of a relaxed thing," said South Bend police Sgt. Gene Eyster. "There might be some crying in their cars with their families, but they won't be scrutinized."

Tom Firtl, who worked in the South Bend Police Department for 28 years and now works security at the University of Notre Dame, came out to lend his support. He knows a little bit about this. Firtl was a pallbearer at Tom DeRue's and Paul Deguch's funerals -- the last two South Bend police officers who were killed. "I felt obligated to be here," he said. So did hundreds of other officers, including Lt. Scott Ruszkowski. "He was a great model police officer," Ruszkowski said. "He had that witty humor. I thought I was good, but he had a great sense of humor." Added Eyster: "If Scott was here tonight, he would have been the first one here and have one of the prettiest cars. He was competitive like that."

The procession zigzagged the east side of town before passing the intersection of Clover and Northside Boulevard just after 10:45 p.m. -- almost exactly three days after Severns was gunned down.

Neighbors lined the street of Northside -- some with candles in their hands -- to honor Severns as hundreds of police cars with their lights flashing passed by. The procession continued to a place significant to the family, then passed the South Bend Police Department before returning to where it started. Police officers and family weren't the only ones hit hard by the passing of Severns. Residents on the normally quiet Clover Street also are mourning his death. In the 27 years Lauretta Anders has lived on Clover Street, the only serious crime that took place here, she said, was a drug bust about 15 years ago. That doesn't look so bad to her now. The street will now be known more for when an eight-year veteran of the Police Department lost his life while trying to protect a female companion. A junior at Clay High School in South Bend was charged with the crime on Monday.

"We never expected anything like this to happen in this neighborhood," said Mary Anders, Lauretta's daughter. "It's a tragedy. "I have two little girls and I'm afraid to let them outside." Earlier in the day, members of Cease Fire -- who show their support after shootings in South Bend -- handed out fliers to residents of the neighborhood and preached against violence. "We just want to let people we're not going for this," said Ray Newbill, the director of the program. "We want to stop the violence, the drug dealing and the gang banging that's going around." Tough times likely are still ahead for Severns' friends and family members, as a viewing is scheduled for Thursday and his funeral for Friday. "It's probably going to be pretty tough for the guys the rest of the week," Eyster said.