Officer Merle Lee Andrews

2023 National Police Officers Memorial Week is over. Our family’s loss is still with us, but is shadowed with so many fond memories of you. Mr. Spychala passed several years ago, just days before CA released him on “Medical Probation.” He didn’t qualify for parole, but this new program, designed to provide better medical care to offenders in my opinion is really a money saving opportunity. The premise is sound, but I’ve already seen too many releases that failed the community and the offender.

I attended nearly all suitability hearings for Mr. Spychala to remind the system of your loss, and the communities loss. I used Pete Beaver as an example each time, as a troubled child (a neighbor, not family) who you assisted even before there was youth diversion programs. In a post on this site, Shelly indicated she didn’t know you, but she did, she was just too young to remember. I remember her laughter at the family Christmas Eve dinner when all of the other adults were talking in the dining room; but, you were laying on the floor showing all of us kids how to spin tops on a rope and laughing as hard as the rest of us.

I continue to wear your memorial band each year during the memorial week as well as bands for fellow officers we lost while I was working at the OCSD. It’s because of you, all fallen officers, and those currently serving their communities, that we all owe gratitude.

Margaret Cady
Niece

May 25, 2023