* Rex Andrews; Former Burbank Police Chief

Rex R. Andrews, who served as Burbank’s chief of police for nearly two decades before retiring, has died at his Sun Valley home. He was 82.

Andrews died Thursday of complications due to his advanced age, said his son, Rex E. Andrews of Sunland.

A native of Derby, Kan., Andrews received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wichita University in 1934. He began his law enforcement career in Wichita as a patrol officer in the late 1930s.

Andrews later directed police training in the state of Wisconsin and served as police chief of Highland Park, Ill., beginning in 1941, his son said.

During World War II, he served as an intelligence major in the European theater and helped to reorganize the Munich and Berlin police forces following the end of the conflict.

In the late 1940s, Andrews served two years as assistant director of training at Northwestern University’s traffic institute and in 1949 was appointed chief of police in Winnetka, Ill.

On Jan. 1, 1953, Andrews became Burbank’s fourth police chief following a nationwide search that drew 250 candidates. It was shortly into his tenure as chief that 62-year-old Mabel Monahan was killed in her Burbank home by a gang of local criminals, including former prostitute Barbara Graham, who in 1955 became the last woman to be put to death in California.

Andrews retired from the department on Oct. 1, 1971, after 18 1/2 years of service.

“Chief Andrews has served the community well and the city’s low crime rate is the result of his guidance,” then-City Manager Joseph N. Baker said upon his retirement. “Under his direction, the Burbank department has been reorganized and has become a model for other departments throughout the country.”

In addition to his son Rex, Andrews is survived by an additional son, Lee Andrews of Sun Valley; his wife of 58 years, Grace; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church of Burbank, 521 E. Olive Ave. Aftercare California Cremation & Burial Society in Van Nuys is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Andrews’ name to the American Cancer Society, 14602 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys 91411.