Derrick and Katherine first met each other through a mutual friend. Katherine was 18 and Derrick 20. They were married almost 2 years later on June 25th, 2005. Young and in love they bought their own single family home and started a family together. In June 2006 Katherine gave birth to their first daughter, Karina. It’s safe to say Karina won her daddy’s heart the moment he saw her. She would wiggle and cry but the moment he held her she would fall peacefully to sleep on his chest.
In December 2006 Derrick enlisted in the Maryland Army National Guard. He had a desire to serve his country while also financially supporting his family. Derrick desired for Katherine to be a stay at home mom so he worked very hard to make that possible.
One month out of basic training Derrick left for his first deployment to Iraq on May 25th, 2007. Derrick learned quickly his responsibilities as an Infantry soldier in the US Army and was recognized as a leader. He came home from his first deployment on April 23rd, 2008. Katherine quickly became pregnant with their second child. Derrick had a desire to continue to serve his country, therefore he signed his name on a list to be selected as a volunteer for another deployment. He
was contacted within 2 weeks and left on July 26th, 2008 for his second deployment to Iraq. Derrick was once again recognized as a high speed soldier who was level headed and calm in stressful situations. He returned from that deployment on Dec 5th, 2008. Katherine gave birth to their second daughter, Kaitlyn, in February, 2009. Once again Derricks heart was taken by another little girl! Each of the girls have their own little blankie, which Derrick would snatch and say “MY blankie” and then run around as the girls would happily chase him squealing “No it’s MY blankie!!!” Karina and Kaitlyn loved to play hide-and-seek with their daddy. Derrick was the ultimate jungle gym to them. And he never grew tired of their endless energy.
After Derricks second deployment he became employed at Ft Detrick, Maryland as a civilian security guard. Katherine continued to be a stay at home mom for their daughters. As the year passed Derrick once again put his name on a list to be selected as a volunteer for another deployment. He left November 22nd, 2009 for his third deployment to Afghanistan. Katherine, Karina and Kaitlyn eagerly awaited his return. But on September 27th, 2010 Derrick called home to tell Katherine about his arrest. He reassured her everything was going to be okay. That he would still come home to his girls. In October 2010 Derrick did come home. But not to their family home where his family awaited him. Instead he was sent to a county jail in Kentucky.
Derrick and Katherine retained a civilian lawyer, Charles Gittins, who had Derrick released from the county jail and moved to Ft Campbell, Kentucky where he could stay until his court martial which was scheduled for June 6th, 2011. During his detainment Katherine took the girls to visit Derrick 7 times. The drive to Kentucky was 12 hours there, and 12 hours back. They often stayed in Kentucky for a week, trying to get as much time 
together as possible. The girls were thrilled to spend time with their daddy and loved every minute on it. The whole ordeal of Derricks detainment was an emotional hardship on both Derrick and Katherine, but their daughters kept them pushing forward. Pushing for Derrick to come home. Pushing to be a family again back home.
Derricks court martial was rescheduled to July 25th, 2011. On that day family and soldiers came to support Derrick. Everyone was positive Derrick would be coming home. Plans to celebrate were already in order. And then the verdict was read on July 27th, 2011. Guilty of premeditated murder. To serve a life sentence with the chance of parole.
The Millers world was shattered that day. Derrick stood tall and shook the hands of the men he had served with. He smiled and thanked everyone for their support. He spoke to his father-in-law about making sure Katherine and the girls were taken care of. He kissed Katherine and told her to not give up. That he was still going to come home one day. As Katherine and Derrick were given a moment alone after the trial, Derrick unbuttoned his Class A jacket, pulled Katherine up against his chest and wrapped his jacket around the both of them saying “Don’t forget my smell. Don’t feel about me. I’m coming home, I promise.” Reassuring Katherine of his love for her and their daughters he kissed Katherine repeatedly, and then was taken away. His feet were shackled and his hands were cuffed to a leather belt put around his waist.
Since the trial Katherine and the girls have had to move out of their home and list it as a short sale. Katherine was fortunate enough to find a job quickly, but not with enough pay to keep their home. They have had to give up their family car as well.
Katherine and Derrick are in love and write to each other weekly. In a letter to Katherine, Derrick wrote “..God formed the heavens and the earth and put them together in a way so no one could see a thread so that they worked perfectly together. An
d when he made me I know he made you to fit together with me till the end of time. I think of you every second of every day and once I am free I know we can be a family together again. Please never stop loving me or wanting me as long as we live. As long as I have breath in my body and blood in my veins I’ll love you and be committed to our family.” Derrick calls home once a week to talk to Katherine and the girls. He remains upbeat and positive, praying justice will be served and he’ll be able to come home. Derrick writes bedtime stories for the girls and mails them home for Katherine to read to them.
Derrick is an honest and trustworthy man. His desire is to come home. To be a citizen again, but most importantly be a husband and father. His heart is broken that he is going to miss raising his children. Derrick is a GOOD man. Please help us get him a second chance. One that he deserves.
Derrick is serving a life sentence with the chance of parole for premeditated murder. He is incarcerated at Ft. Leavenworth KS.
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