John (Andy) A. Anderson (85) passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at his home in Colonial Beach, VA, after a courageous battle with Alzheimers.

He was born in Buffalo, NY, on August 17, 1939 to parents Alyce and Andrew Anderson. He graduated from Maryvale High School in Cheektowaga, NY. He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Diane; daughter, Tricia Anderson Runyan (Clinton) of Luray, VA; and sister, Kathy Yaple (Lynn) of Cheektowaga, NY. He has three grandchildren, Andrew Seaman (Great granddaughter Lauren); Meghan Schreiber (husband Kevin) (greatgrandchildren JJ and Elliott) and Alex Runyan (wife Emma). After high school John enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps where he proudly served 4 years of service to his county. He then went to work for the Fredericksburg Police Department. Later he transferred to the Colonial Beach Police Department where he spent a total of 14 years as a patrolman, town sergeant, and Chief of Police. During that timeframe he attended and graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA.

John had a varied background in his 45 years of law enforcement. He graduated from the Broward County Police Academy; Department of Treasury Consolidated Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; USAF Special Operations School Dynamics of International Terrorism; plus 73 law enforcement and anti-terrorism schools/courses. He received a multitude of awards including FBI Sharpshooter Award, Twelfth Man Award from the high school football team, the J. Edgar Hoover Memorial Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Public Service Award, Life Member of the Colonial Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad Support Team and the Charles E. Murray, Jr., Top Performance Achievement Award at the Rappahannock Criminal Justice Academy. He also served as the Virginia State President of the American Federation of Police. During his 20-year tenure with the federal government, he served as Head of Security Operations division at Dahlgren, Virginia and as Head of Security at Indian Head Munitions Laboratory.

He attended the Colonial Beach United Methodist Church for over 50 years where he served as head of the Administrative Council and president of the United Methodist Men’s Group.

John was always involved with the children in the Colonial Beach community where he coached little league baseball and was an assistant high school football coach for may years. He also coached the men’s adult softball team representing Cooper’s Store. He formed and managed a Junior Police marching group for the Colonial Beach youth. We thank his lifetime friends Larry Cooper, Coach Swope, Pat Fitzgerald, Bart Baker and many, many friends in Colonial Beach.

We also want to thank Mary Washington Hospice and Grief Support Services for the stellar care that they provided to Andy during the last 8 months of his life. His favorite CNA, Relba was so dear to us during this time- Thank You!

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, we are requesting that donations be sent to the Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department, 312 Colonial Avenue, Colonial Beach, VA 22443 for the New Truck Fund.

John was an avid fisherman and deer hunter and now joins his long-time buddies- Tom and Artie “Gone Fishin, SEE YOU AT DEER SEASON!!!”