Former Greenwich Police Chief William Andersen Dies

Former Greenwich Police William Andersen, a 20-year veteran of the department, died Saturday from complications following heart surgery at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was 67.

According to the Greenwich Police Department, Chief Andersen was a graduate of the former St. Mary High School and earned his degreee in criminal justice from Iona College. He was a submariner, having served in the US Navy. He became a Greenwich police officer in July 1970. After rising through the ranks, he was appointed the 11th chief of Greenwich Police in August 1986.

After his retirement in August 1990, Chief Andersen was appointed United States Marshal for the District of Connecticut by President George H.W. Bush. After his appointment ended, he becamse head of security for Clairol, a position he held until his retirement in 2008.

Outside of law enforcement, Chief Andersen was involved in the Greenwich community. He served two terms on the Representative Town Meeting, and the boards of the Boys & Girls Club and the Greenwich Council of the Boys Scouts of America.  A week before his death, Chief Andersen was honored by Iona College with the Brother Arthur A. Loftus Award of Outstanding Achievement in criminal justice.

Friends may call at the Fred D. Knapp & Son Funeral Home, 267 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday. A Mass of Christian Burial - with a police honor guard - will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Church, 178 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich.

*Editor's note: This article was corrected to reflect length of Chief Andersen's tenure.