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 Allen P Anderson Jr, affectionately known as Andy, passed away on February 1, 2021 at the age of 70. He is preceded in death by his father, Allen Anderson Sr., mother, Joan Anderson, and a daughter, Andrea Anderson.
Andy was born December 28, 1950 in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from Alamo Heights High School in 1969 he began a life-long career in law enforcement and public service. He started as a dispatcher for the Alamo Heights Police and Fire Department and even served with the Alamo Heights Volunteer Fire Department. In 1971 he moved to Austin and began working at the Austin Police Department. He graduated from the 44th cadet class and was commissioned as an Officer February 4, 1972. Andy dedicated 29 years serving the citizens of Austin in various roles with APD. The majority of his career was spent patrolling the Southwest Austin and Oak Hill area, earning him the honorary title, “Sheriff of Oak Hill”, a nickname given to him by the residents of that area. Andy earned numerous letters of appreciation and commendations throughout his tenure as a law enforcement officer, including the Honorable Conduct Award, Merit Bar, Purple Heart, Life Saving Award and the Medal of Valor, the highest honor awarded to Police Officers. After retiring from the Austin Police Department he continued to serve his community by working for Travis County Constable, Precinct 3 and volunteered with Copline, a not-for-profit dedicated to assisting active and retired law enforcement officers dealing with various stressors they encounter on the job.
Other than protecting the community, Andy had a passion for music, having taught himself to play guitar as a teenager. He appreciated the live music scene Austin had to offer and frequented iconic venues like the Broken Spoke and Saxon Pub. He would even join some of his favorite local musicians on stage from time to time. Andy also was a skilled photographer and an avid outdoorsman. Camping, hunting and fishing were among his favorite activities.
Andy shared many of these activities with his family who survive him, including his loving partner of 33 years Debbie Arbuckle, daughter Sherrie Aldridge and husband Jesse, son Derek Arbuckle and wife Genna, son Sean Arbuckle and wife Jackie, grandchildren Trey Aldridge, Megan Aldridge, Brogan Arbuckle and a granddaughter due to arrive in May, brother Hank Anderson and wife Beverly, nephew Michael Anderson and wife Melanie along with other cousins residing throughout Texas.
A memorial with service honors will take place Thursday, February 11th at 1pm at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 W William Cannon Dr, Austin, TX 78749. A reception will follow at Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3740 FM 967, Buda, TX 78610. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the 100 Club of Central Texas-Austin Police Association at www.austinpolice.com/100-club-of-central-texas or Operation Blue Santa at www.bluesanta.org.
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Randy Lockwood
From Daniel Forbes, a fellow Officer with the Austin Police Department: I was lucky enough to work with Andy for a few years at APD. I can't remember a time he was in a bad mood. He had the biggest heart, and I saw him many times talking to young people like Andy was their Dad. Never harsh but saying what they needed to hear. I always admired that crusty ol Teddy Bear. If you called for help because things went downhill, Andy was charging in like the cavalry.
Ian (Toby) French
It has been many years since I saw Allen (growing up he was Allen, he'll always be that to me!), we were closest of friends in the Heights years, the Troika was Mark Porretto, Alan and myself. We had some great times, his parents used to sponsor poker games at their house, where they allowed us to drink beer, his Mom used to say she would rather we do it there in their house than out of the street! A great lady. I remember that Andy first taught me the trick to keeping your white shirt tucked in for a fancy event, he wore an "inside belt" around the shirttail to keep it pulled down tight. Pretty slick! The last time I saw Andy he had been a police officer for many years, and he had changed. He had been stabbed several times and seen some rough times while trying to help the citizens of Austin, and he had become bitter and had an "us vs them" attitude. I was very sorry to see that, and his stories gave me a much better understanding for the trials that a police officer faces. We stayed in touch off and on through the Alumni page until he lost his daughter, I know that was rough. I look forward to sharing a beer in Heaven's Bar with Andy in the next life! Salute, old friend!
Debi Nading (Esteves)
Wow! I feel like a part of my history is gone. Allen was my first "boyfriend" when I transferred to AH when I was a sophomore. I got to hang out with him and Toby French and Mark Poretto. We had way too much fun. We were all in the choir and got to open many pavilions for hemisphair. We reconnected after twenty some years when I returned from overseas. I'm so shocked that he is gone now. I'll miss him. Bless you brother!
Ian (Toby) French
Debi! Great to hear from you, hope you are doing well. I had almost forgotten that we were all in the choir together! Yes, those were great trips to open pavillions at Hemisfair, lots of fun. And many national delegations would come to tears to hear their National Anthem sung right there in San Antonio. Cool times!
Janese Rickert (Creech)
It's always sad when I see an email from Randy letting us know that yet another classmate has passed. This is how it's going to be as we all grow older, our circle of friends will contniue to grow smaller. I was a transplant from MacArthur HS around 1967, my junior year?? My best friend, Nina (Watson)Chevalier, introduced Allen to me while I was still at MacArthur (1966?). He was just beginning to pick at his guitar then. I remember he was really such a good guy, my first real boyfriend. When we moved to Alamo Heights and I enrolled at the school there, Allen and Nina were there to help me fit in. They are both gone now and I do miss them. Allen and I went our separate ways once he saw I was ok at Alamo Heights and I had made a few friends. I would pass him in the halls and he would always give me that friendly nod and smile, always good to know he would be there for me if I had ever needed him. I even remember him having his appendix removed. God, it's weird the things you remember when you learn about someone who was once an important part of your life, dying. It's good to read all the wonderful things being said about Allen and know he had a full life of family and friends.