Andrew Charles Matthews

.jpg Andrew Charles Matthews age 34, passed away peacefully with family and close friends at his bedside on January 25, 2009 at his home in San Bernardino, CA, due to complications related to a year long battle with metastatic colon cancer. Andrew was born July 17, 1974 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.

He was raised in Bowie, MD and Suffold County, England before moving to Redlands, CA in 1983 (a 26 year resident of the Redlands/San Bernardino area). He attended McKinley Elementary School, Cope Jr. High graduating from Redlands High School in 1992. He attended Riverside Community College and Crafton Hills College, receiving his AA before transferring to Cal State San Bernardino, majoring in Criminal Justice. He was a graduate of the Craft Hills Fire Academy, EMS program and completed the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Academy in June 2000.

Andrew was a Deputy Sheriff with San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, currently assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Police Department with the Traffic Unit and Major Accident Investigation Team. He previously was assigned to West Valley Detention Center, Twin Peaks Station and Victorville Station for 9 years.

He was involved with AYSO, Redlands Baseball for Youth, Redlands High School Speech Teach and enjoyed skiing, snowboarding, surfing, boating and riding his motorcycle.

Andrew is survived by his father, Charles Matthews of Downey, CA; mother, Sharron Matthew of Redlands, CA; brother, Ed Matthews of Irvine, CA.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Lifeway Church, 7477 Vineyard Ave., Rancho Cucamonga at 10am on Monday, February 2, 2009, followed immediately by a barbeque across the street at Red Hill Park. Informal dress is encouraged. In lieu of flowers, donations to a fund being established in Andy’s name to assist other deputies with medical expenses are encouraged.

Donations may be sent to Employee Resources Division - SEAT, 655 E. 3rd Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415, Attn: Deputy Cindy Brownell. Services entrusted to: Montecito Mortuary and Memorial Park Colton, CA (909) 825-3024