My posting of this sad news comes as a shock to many of us enthusiasts here in the Wasghington D.C. area. Many of you have come to affectionally know as "Doc" either online or in person at past shows will be saddened to know that he is no longer with us. Once the owner of several early Mustangs, he was a regular here on the site buying and selling parts and htting the show scene to meet with some of you. I came to know DOC when he had his '65 Fastback at a local show and we spent some time at junkyards looking for parts. He sold the '65 in 2006 to purchase his dream car a 1970 BOSS 302 which I and others helped him rebuild the engine in. DOC had a love for kids and was a shinning star as principal at a near by Eementary school, often seen arriving early and leaving work late each day in his '97 Mustang COBRA. Recently he hadn't been himself for reasons I can't explain or know of, but he seemed to be struggling with something. Yesterday he was found in a park by, ironically, an eight year old girl. I ask that you pray for the Drummond family and remember them at this time. DOC leaves behind a wife and two small children. I'll always remember my friend for the early days as the jovial guy with a smile behind the wheel with a zest and enthusiasm unmatched. Next year when we start our engines - we'll think of you buddy. Here's the Washington Post article:
Body of Cedar Point Elementary School Principal Found in Park
County Police Investigating Death of Leader, Known for 'Great Love for the Students,' as a Suicide
By Theresa Vargas
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 7, 2007; Page B05
An elementary school principal who spent almost half of his life as an educator in Prince William County was found dead in a park Monday, hours after his wife reported him missing, authorities said yesterday.
Prince William police officers said they were investigating the death of Derek Michael "Mike" Drummond as a suicide and were awaiting autopsy and toxicology reports to determine the cause of death. His body was found about 12:40 p.m. Monday in Locust Shade Park by an 8-year-old girl who was walking with her grandfather, police said.
Derek Michael "Mike" Drummond was chosen to lead Cedar Point Elementary School in 2000. (Prince William County Schools)
Parents at Cedar Point Elementary School in Bristow were sent a letter saying that the only principal the school had ever known was gone. Drummond, 44, was appointed before the doors opened in 2001 and had watched at least one generation pass through the school.
"He always had a great love for the students he was teaching," family friend Robin Sturm said yesterday at the family's Bristow home. "He knew every single child in his school by name."
About 10 a.m., Drummond's wife, Jyl, reported him missing to Manassas police. A broadcast was sent statewide, said Sgt. Tim Neumann, a Manassas police spokesman.
The school was closed yesterday for parent-teacher conferences, but officials said counselors will be on hand today.
School officials said yesterday that Drummond usually arrived at school at 6 a.m. to get his administrative work done so he could spend the rest of his time with students.
"He will be remembered by the thousands of students whose lives he touched here at Cedar Point," Assistant Principal Louis LePore said in a statement. "He was like a big Teddy Bear. He loved children and he loved his work. He brought his best to his job every day. He was a true professional."
Superintendent Steven L. Walts called Drummond's death "a tremendous loss."
"Mike was held in high esteem not only at Cedar Point, but across the school division," Walts said.
Drummond began working for the district in 1987 as a special education teacher at Yorkshire Elementary School, Prince William schools spokesman Ken Blackstone said.
Drummond went on to work as an assistant principal at Antietam and Potomac View elementary schools and was principal at Occoquan Elementary School when he was appointed to Cedar Point in 2000, Blackstone said.
Sturm, who spoke on behalf of relatives at their request, said Drummond received his doctorate in early childhood development from Virginia Tech and gravitated toward special education and gifted students -- "those who were out of the mainstream," she said.
As a principal, Drummond was not above dressing in costume for a fair or racing a miniature bike for the students' amusement, Sturm added. "He wasn't the kind of principal where kids were afraid to be sent to the principal's office," she said.
Drummond was also a father of two children, ages 7 and 11, and was constantly talking about how much he loved them, Sturm said. She remembered how Drummond acted right after the birth of his eldest.
"He just kept looking at his little son and saying, 'You're my very best friend,' " she said.
