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George Sterling Derrick
07/21/1924 — 04/04/2015
From Richland, Washington | Born in Elkland, Missouri
George Sterling Derrick
A retired Captain-Richland Police Department- George Derrick passed away April 4, 2015.
George was a lifelong member of “The Hump Pilots Association” having served in The China Burma India Theater during WWII. His mission was to carry troops and supplies over the Himalayan Mountains from India to China during the China Embargo.
He leaves behind his wife, Lila Faye of 72 years; son, Sterling Derrick and wife Diane; grandson, Evan Derrick and wife Irina; grandson, Aaron Derrick; granddaughter Jessie Turney and husband Drew Winter; granddaughter, Annie White and husband Brady; two great-grandchildren, Zachary White and Ezri Derrick. George also leaves behind his brother Donald Derrick.
He was preceded in death by his three brothers, one sister and dearest daughter, Georgia Faye Derrick and grandson Sammy Turney, Jr.
There will be visitation at Einan’s at Sunset on Friday, April 10, 2015 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
I knew George for nearly 48 years. I started work at RPD on December 1, 1966 and met Gorge at that time. We worked together and he provided me with immense training and wisdom about the complex job of being a good and caring law enforcement officer.
George was a good listener and more important, he was a good role model. He had a very well developed sense of humor which I enjoyed very much.
In retirement, we exchanged personal greetings almost daily on our email accounts and I looked forward to those bits of wisdom and humor that he shared daily.
George was a wonderful friend and mentor that I will miss immensely. He was an honorable, honest man and great role model for all of us to follow. The citizens of Richland should feel fortunate to have a man like George setting a high standard for the police department, a standard that still lives today. Rest in peace my friend; I will miss you so very much.
I enjoyed being an e-mail buddy for the last few years. We both seemed to like the same type of e-mail forwards.
Although George will be very much missed by family and friends, we should not feel bad for George. He has finished his work here on earth and moved on to a better place. A good man.
I first met George when I was a young soldier stationed at Camp Hanford and he was a Richland Police Officer. I was on my way from Finley to Camp Hanford one morning and came upon another soldier hitchhiking in Kennewick. I picked him up and he informed me he had to get to base or be in big trouble. I was riding a motor cycle and told him to hop on. Flying down George Washington at a high rate of speed I was stopped by George. When I explained the situation, he let me go on with a warning not to let him catch me again. I never saw him again for 25 yrs when his son married my daughter. Good man. Funny how life’s dots get connected.
I met Captain Derrick on the job September 1972. He was gruff, often direct and plain spoken. At first I stayed out of his way, but within a few years, learned to respect and like him. Following his retirement I saw him riding “shotgun” in a nuclear waste shipment near Hiway 240. I had a car stopped and heard him shout as I got out of the police car, “Taylor! Get off your as* and get to work.” We both laughed and waived. At heart, he was a good man, officer, and leader. The community was a better place with him, than without him.
Dave Taylor
Former RPD Officer
George was on the panel who interviewed me for my job on RPD. George was a very focused and goal oriented man. My condolences to the family.
John DeMyer
RPD Retired
Guestbook for
George Sterling Derrick