Sgt. James W. “J.W.” Anderson was killed while responding to a domestic disturbance on Aug. 31, 1982 — his 36th birthday.
The Wayzata Police Department is remembering Sgt. James W. “J.W.” Anderson on Monday, Aug. 31, marking 44 years since he was killed in the line of duty while protecting the Wayzata community.
Anderson was responding to a domestic disturbance on Aug. 31, 1982 — his 36th birthday — when he was shot and killed. His death became one of the darkest moments in Wayzata’s history and marked the first line-of-duty death of a Wayzata police officer. (Wayzata.com)
“Today, the Wayzata Police Department remembers Sergeant James J.W. Anderson, who made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to a domestic disturbance on his 36th birthday, August 31st, 1982,” the department said in its remembrance.
“His bravery and dedication to protecting others remain an enduring part of the Wayzata Police Department’s history.”
Anderson had served in law enforcement for 13 years. He began his career as a Hennepin County sheriff’s deputy in 1967, joined the Minnetonka Police Department in 1969 and came to Wayzata in 1981. He later became the first officer in Wayzata Police Department history to earn promotion to sergeant through a competitive process.
The events of Aug. 31, 1982, brought hundreds of law enforcement officers to Wayzata and left a lasting mark on the department and community.
Today, Anderson is memorialized outside Wayzata City Hall alongside Wayzata Police Officer Bill Mathews, who was killed in the line of duty in 2017. The memorial stands as a permanent reminder of the officers who gave their lives serving the community.
“On this anniversary of his sacrifice, and on his birthday, we honor his service, remember his courage, and recognize the lives he helped protect,” the Police Department said.
The department concluded its remembrance simply:
“44 years later, his sacrifice still matters.
His service is still remembered.
His legacy lives on.”
Remembering J.W. Anderson
Last year, Wayzata.com published an extensive account of Anderson’s life, the events of Aug. 31, 1982, and the lasting impact his death had on fellow officers and the Wayzata community.
