Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Merle Andrews was shot and killed while conducting a felony traffic stop of a man wanted in connection with a robbery and kidnapping. He spotted the vehicle and called for backup as he stopped it near Via Rivera and Paseo Lunado in Palos Verdes Estates. As he approached the vehicle with his weapon drawn, the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding him. The suspect was later apprehended at a drugstore where he held three hostages, who were released unharmed. The man had told his pastor earlier in the day that he intended to become involved in a shootout with police in order to be shot by them. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on August 30th, 1972. Officer Andrews had served with the California Highway Patrol for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, mother, and brother, who also served in law enforcement.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-3EA78665- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Andrews gave the California Highway Patrol 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Andrews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Merle Lee Andrews is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At California Highway Patrol, 71 of 233 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Merle Lee Andrews's cause is highlighted.
How Merle Lee Andrews Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Merle Lee Andrews is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Merle Lee Andrews was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
232 officers from California Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
