Retired
Military
Police
Officers
Association
Memorials
This page contains memorials to deceased retired Military Police officers and their spouses, both RMPOA members and non-members. Every effort is made to report these memorials in a timely manner. Unfortunately, in some cases, the Association does not learn of the death of a retired Military Police officer or spouse until long after after the death. In these cases, this fact will normally be identifiable by the reported date of death of the individual involved. Memorials normally remain posted for a period of 30 days and the page will be updated as needed. success of this page is dependent upon information received from members of the RMPOA community.
If you desire to be notified when a new item is added to this page, please send an e-mail to RMPO_webmaster@west-point.org asking to be added to the "E-mail Notification List."
Lt Colonel James (Jim) Young Anderson, Jr,
Lt Colonel James (Jim) Young Anderson, Jr, US Army, Retired, passed away at his home in Burke, VA surrounded by his loving family after a battle with squamous cell carcinoma on February 19, 2019 at the age of 80. His loving wife, Renate W. Anderson, preceded him in death unexpectedly April 15, 2018, at the age of 81 after 55 years of marriage due to her atrial fibrillation which lead to congestive heart failure and cardiac arrest.
He is survived by his three children, Brian James Anderson, Christine Caroline Merzazada (John), and Michael Dean Anderson (Xiomara) and four grandsons, Brandon Anderson, Zachary Merzazada, Nicholas Merzazada, and Justin Merzazada. He is also survived by his brother, David D. Anderson (Nancy Jo) and his sister, Patty Williams (Ron) and their family membersIn Germany, Jim is survived by three brothers-in-law, Axel Gutmann (Monika); Walter Gutmann (Maria); Uli Gutmann (Gitte) and sister-in-law, Marianne Gutmann and family members.
Jim was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 6, 1938 to James Y. Anderson and Dea Delores Anderson. Jim’s paternal grandmother, Veda Young Anderson, was the granddaughter of Brigham Young (2nd President of the LDS Church), and the granddaughter of Lorenzo Snow, the 5th President of the Mormon Church. Jim’s mother was the daughter of Carl Maisak who was born in Heilbronn, Germany in 1890 and moved to the US in 1910. As a teenager, Jim was raised in Boise, Idaho where he earned the two highest awards in scouting, Eagle Scout and Explorer Silver Award.
Jim graduated from Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho with a BS Degree in Business (Accounting) and commissioned Regular Army Second Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the ROTC Program, 1960. He was also awarded a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University, 1977.
Upon completion of the Infantry Officers Orientation Course and Ranger training, his first assignment directed him to Germany in January 1961 assigned to the 3rd Armored Rifle Battalion for 20 months near the East German Border His assignments included rifle platoon leader; assault weapons (106 recoilless Rifle) platoon leader, and lastly scout platoon leader when the Bn was transferred to the 3rd Infantry Division. He transferred to Vicenza, Italy, as an MP detachment commander in September 1962. Other assignments include: Fort Lewis, WA (Co Cdr, 504th MP Bn; Quinhon, Vietnam (Bn S-4, 504th MP Bn); Fort Gordon, GA (MP Officers Advanced Course & MP School Plans & Programs Officer); Korat, Thailand (Provost Marshal); Schofield Barracks, Hawaii (CID District Cdr); Washington, D.C. (Col Henry Tufts XO, CID Agency); Washington, D.C. (HQ, US Army Criminal Investigation Command {USACIDC} 7 years of 3 General Staff assignments as Division Chief); Washington, D.C. (HQ Defense Investigative Service (DIS), Special Assistant to the Director and Acting Chief of Staff; Jim authored the first Defense Criminal Investigative Service Handbook for DCIS upon transfer of DIS agents to the newly established DCIS); and Heidelberg, Germany (Deputy Cdr, Second Region, USACIDC Europe). Jim retired in August 1988 upon 28 years of service.
Honor graduate of the Army’s Criminal Investigation Course at Fort Gordon, GA in May 1971 (No more than six commissioned officers were allowed to attend), and honor graduate of the FBI National Academy 90th Session at Quantico, VA in September 1972.
Awards include: Ranger Tab; Expert Infantryman’s Badge; Legion of Merit; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Army Meritorious Medal (2); Army Commendation Medal (3); Army Achievement Medal; and Expert Marksmanship Badge (rifle/pistol).
During the period March 1989 through January 2007, Jim worked for the Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), as a contractor and program manager responsible for (1) writing physical security standards and policies for protecting U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad against terrorism, political violence, crime and technical intelligence threats, and (2) managing his company’s contract involving his hiring of a large number of senior contract employees to augment the staff of DS. Jim resigned from DS and General Dynamics Information Technology by fully retiring in February 2007.
A Catholic service will be held at Memorial Chapel Fort Myer (Arlington, VA) on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 12:45 p.m., followed by Interment with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in James’ name to the Retired Military Police Officers Association (RMPOA) Digest. Those who desire to support the Digest's continued publication, please make your check donation payable to the RMPOA Digest and send to: Retired Military Police Officers Digest, P.O. Box 5477. Springfield, VA 22150.
Renate Walpurgis Anderson
Wife of Lt Colonel James (Jim) Young Anderson, Jr (Deceased)
Renate Walpurgis Anderson of Burke, VA, died unexpectedly at her home in Burke, VA on April 15, 2018, at the age of 81 due to her atrial fibrillation which lead to congestive heart failure and cardiac arrest.
She was born June 22, 1936 in Darmstadt, Germany, to Norbert Gutmann (architect) and Annemarie Gutmann. She was the second and only daughter among six siblings born to the Gutmann family. In the late 1950’s, as a gracious natural beauty, she was elected Fasching queen (German version of Mardi Gras). She was a governess for a wealthy Italian family for three years in Northern Italy. In addition to her native language, she spoke English and Italian fluently.
She was survived by her loving husband, Lt Colonel James (Jim) Y. Anderson, Jr. USA, retired. Both were married in a Catholic Church on March 30, 1963 in Wildflecken, West Germany (northern Bavaria), her hometown since 1937. They spent their honeymoon in Saalbach, Austria. Jim met Renate during December 1961 while he was serving his first two-year Regular Army tour in the Infantry as a Lieutenant. Upon transfer to Vicenza, Italy during the fall of 1962 to his first MP Corps assignment, Jim proposed to Renate to be his loving wife.
During November 25, 1963, after receiving orders to command an MP Co, at Fort Lewis, WA, Jim and Renate departed Genoa, Italy to New York City via USS Independence cruise ship with stops in Cannes, France; Barcelona, Spain; Casablanca, Morocco; and the Madeira Islands, Portugal. It was a wonderful second honeymoon.
As a loving wife, homemaker, and mother to her three children, Renate believed in the principles of honesty, decency, courage, strength, tolerance, and humility. Social events she hosted within the military and locally within Burke, VA were always superbly done which featured wonderful German food and desserts which she cooked herself. Other career assignments within the military in which Renate was instrumental as an outstanding military wife and greatly respected at military social events included the US Army MP School, Fort Gordon, GA (3 years); HQ US Army Criminal Investigation Command (USACIDC) (7 years) and Defense Investigative Service (4 years), Washington D.C.; CID District at Schofield Barracks, HI; (3 ½ years), and HQ Second Region, USACIDC, Heidelberg, Germany. While her husband spent two years unaccompanied assignments in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Renate raised the family’s children on her own.
Renate was honored to receive her US citizenship at an official ceremony during May 2007 at Mount Vernon, VA, in front of the plantation home of George Washington. The ceremony included a White House official. Renate was the only German to receive her US citizenship and was interviewed by reporters from Germany. The results of her interview were announced publicly in Germany before most of her relatives were informed by Renate.
In northern Virginia, Renate is also survived by her three children, Brian James Anderson; Christine Caroline Merzazada (John); Michael Dean Anderson (Xiomara); four grandchildren, Brandon Anderson; Zachary Merzazada; Nick Merzazada; and Justin Merzazada. Renate was a great mother and grandmother in which she lived for her kids and grandchildren.
Renate’s father, Norbert Gutmann had a distinguished career as an architect. He designed homes on the island of Ibiza, Spain during the early 1930s. Renate’s first brother was born on the island in 1934, due to the civil war in Spain, the Gutmann family moved to Darmstadt during the mid-30s upon which Renate was born in 1936. The Gutmann family moved to Wildflecken the following year in which Renate’s father was selected as Deputy Director and primary architect to supervise 6000 German laborers to construct the largest military training area in Germany at the time to include housing. This was Renate’s husband’s first military assignment as an Armored Infantry officer.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her two brothers, Pedro Gutmann, a chemical engineer, and Toni Gutmann.
In Germany, Renate is survived by her three brothers, Axel Gutmann (Monika); Walter Gutmann (Maria); Uli Gutmann (Gitte) and sister-in-law, Marianne Gutmann. Walter (Pizzi), the former Burgermeister (Mayor) of Wildflecken during 1979 – 2002 during the Cold War, still lives with Maria in Wildflecken, as well as Marianne. Axel, Bundeswehr LtCol (ret), lives in Schwabbruck , while Uli, a former tourist expert, lives in Landshut, all in Bavaria.
Renate kept close ties with her German family members and old friends, visiting their homes as often she could. Renate and her family lived in Heidelberg during Jim’s military assignment 1983 – 86, two years before his retirement.
Renate, at her request, was cremated on April 18, 2018. In Wildflecken, in the church Renate was married, a catholic divine service was held on her birthday, June 22, 2018.
A Catholic service will be held at Memorial Chapel Fort Myer (Arlington, VA) on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 12:45 p.m., followed by Interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Renate’s name to the Retired Military Police Officers Association (RMPOA) Digest. Those who desire to support the Digest's continued publication, please make your check donation payable to the RMPOA Digest and send to: Retired Military Police Officers Digest, P.O. Box 5477. Springfield, VA 22150.
LTC Cornelius T. "Neil" Creeden
LTC Cornelius Creeden was born on August 12, 1939 and passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
He was raised in Philadelphia and graduated from LaSalle University in 1961.
He joined the U.S. Army after graduation and among other assignments, eventually served as the Stockade Commander at a number of military installations in the United States and overseas.
Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at 10 a.m., at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 4491 Springfield Rd., Glen Allen, Va. 23060. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m., with a luncheon at the church afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please consider a memorial contribution to the Gary Sinise Foundation at garysinisefoundation.org.
Published in Bliley's Funeral Homes on July 28, 2019
CW2 David Mack Diehl
CW2 David Mack Diehl, 87, of Columbus, GA passed on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. A private service in is honor will be held at a later date.
Mr. Diehl was born September 19, 1931 in Philadelphia, PA, the son of the late Lester and Ruth Diehl. He served our great country for 20 years in the US Army and is a veteran of World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars. He married Ruth Burgess and they spent 59 cherished years together before her passing in September of 2015. After his service in the military Mr. Diehl would pursue a career in Criminal Justice, eventually obtaining a Master Degree from Auburn University in 1979. He taught and trained numerous law enforcement personal over the years eventually retiring as the Director of the CSU Regional Police Academy. David had many accomplishments through his lifetime, he was a member and past secretary for the Balsa Aerodynes Model Airplanes Club. Past Secretary and Past president of the Columbus- Fort Benning RC Flyers. Member of the Columbus State University Alumni Assoc. Member of the Criminal Investigation Division Agents Association.
He is preceded in death by his wife Ruth Diehl and parents. Survivors include four children, Susan Chandler of Covington, GA, Brian Diehl of Auburn ,GA, Sharon Dill of Bradley, Maine, Steven Diehl Newman, GA. Numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Striffler-Hamby is entrusted with the arrangements; you may offer your condolences by visiting www.shcolumbus.com. Donation in Mr. Diehl honor can be made to the National Kidney Foundation at 30 East 33rd St, Suite 1000 New York, NY 10016
Published in Columbus Ledger-Enquirer on Mar. 5, 2019
CW4 Kenneth Paul McLellan
CW4 Kenneth Paul McLellan, 84, of Beaumont, passed on Monday, October 15, 2018, at Christus Hospital-St. Elizabeth, Beaumont. He was born on October 25, 1933, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to Hazel McAllister McLellan and William McLellan, and has been a resident of Beaumont since 1979. He married Sally Virginia Wheeler in 1960, who followed him through years of military service. He retired in 1979 after twenty-six years of service as a Chief Warrant Officer (W-4). During his military career he was a Special Agent, Office of Special Investigations, USAF, and later a Criminal Investigator and Polygram Examiner with the Criminal Investigations Command, USA. He held a B.S., Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska and a M.S., Criminal Justice from Troy State University, in Alabama. In 1979, he accepted a position as Security Director with The Fair Stores until 1989 when he went into the private investigations business until retirement from full time employment in 1997. He continued as a private investigator, part time, into 2012. He and his wife, Sally, were members of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church since inception at Kelly High School in 1979. Survivors include his daughter, Christine Orchid of Beaumont; son, Micheal and his wife, Cristy, of North Carolina; grandchildren, Callie Taylor of Washington, D.C., Cody McLellan of North Carolina, and Zachary McLellan of North Carolina; great-grandson, Malachi Taylor; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gloria McLellan of Massachusetts, Sandy Mesner of Michigan, Jim and Carolyn Wheeler of Colorado, Cynthia Steplar of Massachusetts, and Bob and Lois Burrage of
Mrs Sally Virginia McLellan
Sally Virginia McLellan, 72, of Beaumont, died Saturday, December 17, 2011, at her residence. A native of Westfield, Massachusetts and resident of Beaumont since 1979, Mrs. McLellan was born April 8, 1939, to Cecelia Wysocki Wheeler and William Wheeler. Survivors include her husband, Kenneth McLellan of Beaumont; son, Michael Patrick McLellan and his wife, Cristy of Kernersville, North Carolina; daughter, Christine Ann McLellan of Yorktown Heights, New York; brother, James Wheeler of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sisters, Lois Burrage and her husband, Robert of Westfield, Massachusetts, Cynthia Steplar and her husband, Frank of E. Hampton, Massachusetts, and Sandra Mesner of Farminghills, Michigan; and grandchildren, Callie McLellan Taylor and Cody Michael McLellan. She is preceded in death by her son, Wayne McLellan. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2011, in the Chapel of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys, Beaumont under the direction of Broussard's, 1605 North Major Drive,,Beaumont. Cremation arrangements are being handled under the direction of Broussard's Crematorium. Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice, 2450 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713 or to a charity of one's choice. Complete and updated information may be found at broussards1889.com
Published in the Beaumont Enterprise on Oct. 18, 2018
COL Albert A. Ackerman
Mar. 9, 1931 - Oct. 17, 2019
Albert A. Ackerman was born March 9, 1931 in Newark, NJ, the son of Estelle Marie and Albert Ackerman.
He graduated from Irvington, NJ High School in June 1948 and served a two- year apprenticeship at Monroe Calculating. In 1950 Al attended St. Benedict's Prep and in February 1951 he joined the Seton Hall ROTC program. In August 1954 Al graduated from Seton Hall and was commissioned in the United States Army. From September 1963 to May 1964 he received his Master of Science degree from Michigan State University and in 1972 Al was selected to attend the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Having served in both the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, Colonel Albert Ackerman retired from the Army in October 1981. Besides having served in the Military Police Corps, he was extremely proud to have served in the First Infantry Division (Big Red One). After military retirement, Al received his JD degree in June 1984 from the University of Miami School of Law. Upon taking the Bar Exam, Al made the highest score of all participants in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties thereby was chosen to give the congratulatory speech to his peers.
He then moved on to become a prosecuting attorney under Janet Reno in the Florida State Attorney's office for three years before heading the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in Miami under the Auditor and Attorney General's Office. Final retirement came in the fall of 1995, when Al and his
wife, Joyce who he met on blind date while both were serving in Vietnam, moved from Plantation to Sarasota.
Al is survived by his loving wife, Joyce and his daughter, Christine Morris of Dahlonega, GA as well as a granddaughter, Jessica Roth. Al, had a large number of friends and through the years many people relied on him for guidance in various matters. He was a true and respected leader who will be greatly missed by all.
Services will be private for the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a military organization you choose.
Condolences may be made at www.toalebrothers.com.
Massachusetts; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Sally (2011); son, Wayne (2010); brother, William (2005); mother, Hazel (1995) and father, William (1953). A Memorial Mass for Mr. McLellan will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m., Friday, October 19, 2018, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont. A family committal was held at Broussard's Crematorium, Beaumont. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 10900-B Stonelake Boulevard, Suite 320, Austin, Texas 78759; the American Cancer Society, 4 Bayou Brandt Drive, Suite B, Beaumont, Texas 77706; or to an organization of your choice. Complete and updated information may be found at: broussards1889.com.
Published in the Beaumont Enterprise on Oct. 18, 2018
