Patrolman Andrews | Star #15701

Patrolman Donald E. Andrews, Star #15701, aged 35 years, was a 3 year, 2 month, 20 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 21st District – Prairie.

On January 1, 1975, at 3:27 a.m., Patrolman Donald E. Andrews, age 35 and his partner Patrolman Daniel E. Howard, age 26, were on duty working beat 210. The officers responded to a man with a gun call. Officer Andrews, driver of the squad car, was rushing to the 47th Street Station of the Dan Ryan rapid transit line to intercept two passengers carrying a shotgun. While en route they were involved in a traffic crash with another squad car, beat 222, driven by Patrolman Edward Czoski, age 26 and Patrolman John Griffin, age 26. Both squad cars had their sirens blaring and their red lights flashing as they approached the intersection of 46th Street and Michigan Avenue. Officers Andrews and Howard were Westbound on 43rd Street and entered the intersection against the red light. The second squad car entered the “blind“ intersection from Southbound Michigan Avenue. The impact of the collision drove both squad cars onto the sidewalk. Officers Andrews’ and Howard’s vehicle rolled end over end for 40 feet, killing both officers. Officer Andrews was transported to Michael Reese Hospital by CFD Ambulance #4 where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Olson at 4:08 a.m. on January 1, 1975. Officer Howard was transported to Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Maduemezia at 3:45 a.m. on January 1, 1975. The officers in the second squad car were treated and released for their injuries. The suspect was arrested by other responding officers.

Further investigation revealed that the radio broadcast of “Two men with a shotgun aboard the Elevated Train“ was bonafide. Officers intercepted the train at the 47th Street Station and arrested two youths aboard the train. One, a juvenile, age 15, of 9021 South Morgan Street, was turned over to juvenile authorities. The other youth, Glen F. Childs, age 18, was charged with four offenses. One of the charges was for Unlawful Use of Weapon – Sawed Off Shotgun.

Officer Donald Andrews was waked at Czachor Funeral Home located at 3661 South Wood Street. His funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church located at 3528 South Hermitage. He was laid to rest on January 4, 1975 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 West 111th Street, Worth, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 4, Lot 46, Block 7, Section 49.

Patrolman Donald E. Andrews, October 11, 1939, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on October 12, 1971. He attended the O’Brien Street Police Academy and graduated on July 4, 1972. Officer Andrews earned 1 Honored Police Star Award (posthumously) and 8 Honorable Mentions during his career.

Officer Andrews served in the U.S. Army from November 24, 1964 to November 11, 1965, was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars and was Honorably Discharged at the rank of Specialist 5. He was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, Chicago Patrolmen’s Association and the St. Jude Police League. Officer Andrews was survived by his daughter, Cara Lee, age 13; parents: Frances (nee Geiger) and Jesse and siblings: Donna Lee, Mackey, Arnold A., Edmond and Michael.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #T000433 UUW Case Report and T750177 Traffic Crash Report.

On May 25, 2006, Officer Andrews’ star was retired by Superintendent Philip J. Cline and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 South Michigan Avenue.