Clinton H. Anderson; Ex-Beverly Hills Chief

Clinton H. Anderson, Beverly Hills police chief for 26 years, died this week in Huntington Beach of natural causes. He was 86.

Anderson began his career in law enforcement as a Beverly Hills police officer in 1929. He was promoted to chief of police in December, 1942.

During his tenure as chief, Anderson gained a reputation as a strict, no-nonsense disciplinarian.

“His primary mission was to keep Beverly Hills as crime free as possible, and he gave 100% of himself,” said Capt. Fred Koch of the Beverly Hills Police Department.

Anderson directed some of the most sensational investigations in the nation--the stabbing of Johnny Stompanato by Lana Turner’s 14-year-old daughter and the slaying of mob leader Benjamin (Bugsy) Siegel in 1947.

In 1950, he appeared before the state Senate Committee on Un-American Activities, accusing Assemblyman Vernon Kilpatrick of the 55th District of being a Communist. Kilpatrick countered by accusing Anderson of “launching a false offensive.”

In 1960 Anderson wrote “Beverly Hills Is My Beat,” a book that chronicles notable events of his 39 years of law enforcement.

In 1969, he was voted man of the year by the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Civic Assn. He retired in March of that year.

Each year for the last 30 years the Beverly Hills Police Department has awarded the Clinton H. Anderson Award to the officer who demonstrated “overall outstanding leadership and commitment to public service.”

Anderson died Wednesday. He is survived by his daughter, Glee Gerde of Huntington Beach, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale.