ALFRED (A.J.) DeANDREA

Sergeant A.J. DeAndrea is a 15 year veteran of the Arvada, Colorado Police Department.  He is currently assigned to patrol and serves as one of the Team Leaders for the Jefferson County Regional SWAT Team, which he has been a member of for the last 12 years.  

Sergeant DeAndrea is a certified Explosive Breacher and a Colorado POST certified instructor for the Jefferson County Law Enforcement Training Academy and the Red Rocks Community College Law Enforcement Academy.  He teaches Officer Survival, Building Searches, Rapid and Immediate Deployment (RAID), SWAT, Less Lethal, Defensive Tactics and Firearms as well as many other disciplines.  A.J. attended the University of Colorado in Boulder and has a Bachelor of Arts.

Sergeant DeAndrea has received 5 Medals for Valor, 1 Medal for Distinguished Service, 2 Medals for Meritorious Service, 2 unit citations and numerous commendations.  In 2006/2007 A.J. was honored as the “Police Officer of the Year” through the Primo Awards. In 2007 he also received an Honorable Mention for Police Officer of the Year through the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Parade Magazine.

Sergeant DeAndrea was an Entry Team Leader at Columbine High School and a Team Leader during the Bulldozer Incident in Granby, CO.  Sgt. DeAndrea devised and executed the tactical plan for the Hostage Rescue at Platte Canyon High School in September, 2006.  Most recently A.J. was the Team Leader during an Officer Rescue where over thirty rounds were fired.  The deputy was rescued without injury while the suspect was shot by SWAT.