(May 13, 1981-January 9, 2005)

RUSSELL--A funeral Mass for Derick C. Whitmarsh, 23, of 718 Pestle Street Road, will be said at noon Wednesday at St. Mary’s Church, Canton, with the Rev. Timothy G. Canaan, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Whitmarsh family cemetery.

Mr. Whitmarsh died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday at Norwood police station, 12 Bernard Ave., Norwood.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at O’Leary Funeral Home, Canton.

Mr. Whitmarsh was a part-time police officer in the village of Norwood since 2002. During the summer of 2004, he worked as a New York state park ranger in St. Lawrence County and he also worked in security on a temporary basis at St. Lawrence University, Canton.

He was a member of Russell Volunteer Fire Department and was an emergency medical technician. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed world history and studying aircraft.

Born May 13, 1981, in Ogdensburg, son of Frederick Jr. and Wendy Thompson Whitmarsh, he graduated from Edwards-Knox Central School in 1999 and from Canton College of Technology in 2003, receiving an associate’s degree in criminal justice. He served in the Army with the military police for two years.

Surviving besides his parents of Russell are a brother, Erick L., Russell; his companion, Nicki Martin, Norfolk; his paternal grandfather, Frederick Whitmarsh Sr., Russell; his maternal grandfather, George Thompson, Canton, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, P.O. Box 469, Potsdam, N.Y. 13676.

(From the Tuesday, January 11, 2005 edition of the Watertown Daily Times, page D7).