Naperville police department mourns 'Gentle Giant'

His fellow Naperville police officers called him the Gentle Giant.

Standing at approximately 6-feet, 5-inches, officer Donald "DJ" Andries, 47, was known for his striking stature and mild manners.

And when he died suddenly of natural causes in his sleep on Saturday, Dec. 13, Andries' colleagues, family and friends mourned the man who they said always had a smile on his face.

"Everyone liked him and he definitely was just a sincere, nice guy," said Naperville Police Cmdr. Mike Anders. "Initially, we got to know each other because our last names are so similar and our mail and calls would always get mixed up. And over the years, he's become an officer I could always count on."

Andries was a 16-year veteran with the Naperville Police Department and briefly served the Glen Ellyn police before then. In Naperville, he worked as a field training officer, Honor Guard member, and beat officer in the patrol division.

On his beat, Andries was part of a five-officer team that patrolled the area on 75th, between Book Road and Washington Street, for more than half a decade. The team became experts, said Anders, on handling the concerns of local residents, landlords and business owners on the south end of the city.

Ray McGury, current director of the Naperville Park District and former patrol captain with the Naperville police, said Andries became a fixture on the south side.

"When people get word of this so many people will be extremely said," McGury said. "His heart was as big as his frame."

Andries was also a member of the police department's Elderly Services Team and its elementary school reading program offered through Scott School.

Before joining the police force, Andries also served in the U.S. Navy.

Officer Andries is survived by his wife, Mary, sons Tim and Brian, both of whom are members of the U.S. Army, and his extended family at the Naperville Police Department.

Naperville Deputy Police Chief Gary Bolt said the department is keeping the Andries family in their thoughts and prayers.

"We will lend our support to them," Bolt said. "It's hitting us all pretty hard but, together, I think we'll pull through it."

Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15 at the Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 36 N. Ellsworth, Naperville.