Hundreds mourn Naperville police officer

He lived every day to serve his country, his community and - most importantly - his family.

Hundreds of mourners turned out Tuesday to remember Donald "DJ" Andries that way and to honor the Naperville police officer during a funeral Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

Andries, 47, known among his colleagues as a reliable and humble "gentle giant," died in his sleep Saturday. He leaves behind his wife, Mary, and adult sons Tim and Brian.

Following a bagpipe procession, scores of police and fire personnel joined crowds of civilians in remembering Andries with a traditional Catholic Mass.

During his 16 years with the Naperville Police Department, Andries worked as a field training officer, Honor Guard member and beat officer in the patrol division. He was part of a five-officer team that patrolled the area on 75th Street, between Book Road and Washington Street.

During his homily Tuesday, Rev. Ryan Larson said Andries befriended many teens on his beat - often youths who were headed down a troubled path.

"If even they respected him and were glad to see him, that's an extraordinary testimony," Larson said.

Andries also was a member of the police department's Elderly Services Team and its elementary school reading program offered through Scott School. Standing at roughly 6 feet 5 inches, Andries towered over many of his fellow officers - and certainly dwarfed the kindergartners he regularly read with.

"The kids were just in awe of him," said Vicki Doman, a kindergarten teacher at Scott School. "He'd get right in there with them and get down on one knee to read. They just thought he was great."

While Andries' tall frame impressed the children, his colleagues said he rarely used his size to deal with crime. Instead, he preferred using words to get things done, said Ray McGury, executive director of Naperville Park District and a former Naperville police captain.

"DJ had a gift for conversation with people," McGury said.

Since Andries formerly served in the U.S. Navy, the Mass concluded with a U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Detail and a rendition of taps, as well as another bagpipe tribute.

Both Andries' sons are following in his military footsteps. Tim enlisted in the Army and Brian serves as a member of Reserve Officer Training Corps at Eastern Illinois University. Both donned their uniforms to honor their father.

As Naperville police officers filed out of the church Tuesday, many showed their grief through tears and silence.

"DJ was the kind of guy who you just didn't have to ask for help," officer Luke Swanson said. "I'm kind of speechless right now."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=258054">Naperville police department mourns 'Gentle Giant' <span class="date">[12/13/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>