Western District veteran served under 13 Baltimore police commissioners
When John McAndrew Sr. joined the city Police Department, the 10 tallest buildings that now stand in Baltimore had not been constructed, and most of the people who now work on the force had not been born.
The 72-year-old patrol officer retired Wednesday, joined at a ceremony by dozens of co-workers, friends and family members, ending 50 years of service.
McAndrew began his service on June 1, 1961. He has served as an officer in the Western District since Aug. 24 of that year, a district that has historically been among the city's most dangerous.
"The role of this man in Baltimore has changed people's lives," Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III told the crowd Wednesday in the atrium at the police headquarters building.
McAndrew's wife of 47 years, Rebecca, said that her husband's dedication and love of his work has been the most important part of their life together.
"It's been the center of our life, the nucleus of our existence," she said.
This devotion to the police force has always been a part of McAndrew. He said that he "wanted to be a police officer my whole life."
He had no idea that he would carry this passion for 50 years of service. Asked how many police commissioners he had served under, McAndrew smiled, and said: Everyone. The answer is 13.
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2 comments:
Amazing! To survive for 50 years as a policeman--in Balto. City yet-is unheard of. He could have retired 30 years ago. May he have many more years of an enjoyable retirement.
Howard Landing has 44 years for the City of Salisbury.
When Delmar Fireman Joe Morris died the town closed down and paid their respects. I find it sad that Salisbury doesn't hold the same values as their neighbors to the north.
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