Lieutenant Robert Rollo Andriot, Sr. L-30
(1927-2023)
Bob was born September 15, 1927, in Cincinnati, to Phillip L. and Alma (Deck) Andriot. He attended Rothenberg Junior High School and graduated from Central Vocational School in 1944.
From January 1939 through January 1942, Bob had a newspaper route but left when it interfered with his studies. In June 1944, at 16, he serviced refrigerators for the Cincinnati Refrigerator Company on Colerain Avenue. In January 1945, at 17, he went to work at Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company as an electrical tester.
Bob enlisted in the United States Navy on February 19, 1945 during World War II. Basic Engineer Andriot graduated from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center and, on July 27, 1945, boarded the U.S.S. Hornet (CV12). By the time she made it back into the war, the war was over, and she was used to transport soldiers home. Electricians Mate 3rd Class Andriot was honorably discharged on July 4, 1946.
After the war, 18-year-old Bob returned to the Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company and was elevated to Inspector.
Bob joined the Cincinnati Police Division as a member of the 23rd Police Recruit Class on January 27, 1952. On April 27, 1952, he was promoted to Patrolman, issued Badge 17, and assigned to District 2 (314 Broadway). On March 1, 1953, he was rotated to District 4 (754 W. 5th Street) and rotated again a year later to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue).
On November 20, 1960, he was promoted to Patrolman 2 and assigned to Juvenile Bureau.
On March 25, 1962, he was promoted to Detective, issued Badge D-44, and assigned to the Burglary Squad of the Crime Bureau (City Hall). By 1964, he had developed “into one of our best Detectives,” according to his commander, which was supported by the Chief of Detective, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Sandman.
Three years later, on July 11, 1965, he was promoted to Sergeant, issued Badge S-34, and assigned to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive). On August 11, 1968, he was transferred to the Traffic Bureau. He became incredibly involved in the television program, Play it Safe. In 1971, Sergeant Andriot proposed a revised “Cincinnati Police Vehicle Inspection Report” in order to reduce the amount of time spent in this task. The report was found to be “comprehensive, yet easily filled out” and “a signification asset in maintaining an up-to-date record on police equipment.” He was awarded a cash award from the City of Cincinnati for his efforts. At the end of 1971, his commander rated him “Excellent” in every one of 11 categories and 31 of 33 subcategories. On January 7, 1973, Sergeant Andriot transferred to District 7 (7017 Vine Street). Three months later, he transferred to District 5 (1012 Ludlow Avenue).
On September 22, 1974, he was promoted to Lieutenant and issued Badge L-30. On December 7, 1975, District 5 converted to Community Sector Policing and Lieutenant Andriot was placed in command of the new Sector 51. By then, he had grown a reputation as a problem-solver and Chief Myron Leistler transferred him to where he could work on perceived problems. On January 30, 1977, he was assigned to command the Inspections Section. By March 5, 1978, he was needed at District 4 (4150 Reading Road). Then, on March 9, 1980, he was transferred to District 5 again. On June 12, 1980 he was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Division for “service rendered above and beyond the call of duty.” Thereon, Chief Myron J. Leistler described him as “a Street Cop – A Living Legend.”
Coming to the end of his career, in 1982, Lieutenant Andriot requested a transfer to a well-functioning relief. The Chief sent him, on August 8, 1982, to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue) where he was revered by the cops who worked for him. He would later assert that his career highlight was that relief, which, over the years, has come to be known as “The Greatest Relief.” Many years later, an Executive Assistant Chief told him, “I came on after you retired, but I certainly have heard of your relief.”
Lieutenant Andriot retired almost 39 years ago on January 3, 1985 with 34½ years of service to his country and community and 20 letters of appreciation and/or commendation.
During his career, Lieutenant Andriot witnessed 14 Cincinnati line-of-duty deaths; including Sergeant Robert Lally in District 5 the night they converted to Comm-Sec, and Officer Gary Weber on his relief one month after he took over. He rarely missed the annual Police Memorial ceremonies and, in 2016, laid the wreath for the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum.
Lieutenant Andriot had been sick a long time and was admitted to hospice by mid-October 2023. He died October 26, 2023 at the age of 96. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living employee to have served in Districts 3 and 5, Juvenile and Traffic Bureaus, and Inspections Section. He was also the oldest to have held the ranks of Patrolman 2, Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant.
He was predeceased by all of his children, Vera Lee McAlpin, Linda Jean Andriot, and Robert R. “Robb” Andriot, Jr.; former son-in-law, Cincinnati Police Officer Thomas J. McAlpin; and all his siblings and siblings-in-law, Cincinnati Firefighter Philip L. (Estelle) Andriot, Alma “Peggy” Andriot, Camille Ruth (Edwin) Dean, and Delores (James) Hughes. Lieutenant Andriot is survived by his wife of 72 years, Vera Marie (Stalf) Andriot; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Andriot; grandchildren, Heather (Nen) Berkemeier, Tom (Liz) McAlpin IV, Holli McAlpin (John Gibbs), Spencer (Olivia), Preston (Ashley) Andriot, and Logan Andriot; and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Meyer Funeral Home, 5864 Bridgetown Road. An FOP service will be held at 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Simon the Apostle Church at 825 Pontius Road. Burial to follow at 12:30 p.m. at St. Joseph (New) Cemetery, 4500 Foley Road.
Memorials may be made to the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum, 308 Reading Road, Suite 201, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or Hospice of Cincinnati, PO Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263.
©2016 – All rights reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society