John Anderson was born in Dover, New Jersey on March 19, 1919, later moving to Pennsylvania. He graduated from Franklin High School in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. Before entering the New Jersey State Police, he was a Master Sergeant in the United States Army and was a veteran of World War II. Trooper Anderson resided in Sayreville, Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Trooper Anderson enlisted with the New Jersey State Police on April 12, 1953 and was stationed at Troop “D”, Holmdel. His service with the Division was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty and faithful and energetic devotion to the principles of the New Jersey State Police.

Trooper Anderson died as a result of gunshot wounds, in the performance of duty.

At about 10:45 P.M. on November 1, 1955, Trooper Anderson was on patrol along the Garden State Parkway, three miles north of the exit to Red Bank in Middletown Township. He noticed a 1955 Pontiac that had been reported stolen in Brooklyn the day before. Apparently, the Pontiac was parked off the Parkway in the U-Turn late at the 112-mile marker. Exactly what happened next is not known except that an alarm on the police radio came in from Trooper Anderson that he had been shot.

After being wounded, Trooper Anderson apparently managed to crawl back to his troop car and he radioed for help. He was found slumped in the front seat, his service revolver and some ammunition missing. His holster had been torn, suggesting a struggle for the gun. He was taken to Riverview Hospital in Red Bank where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Trooper Anderson served 2 years and 3 months with the New Jersey State Police and was survived by his wife. He was 36 years old.