After 24 plus years of service with the Brownwood Police, Lt. John Harper retired Wednesday, March 30th with friends, coworkers and family celebrating with a reception.
Harper will retire, have one day off and then begin working for the Brown County Sheriff’s Department on Friday, April 1st. When asked why he wasn’t taking more time off, Harper explained he is looking forward to working patrol with BCSO and enjoys law enforcement. He explained to his BPD coworkers that this retirement isn’t the usual since he will now be working nearby. The BPD and BCSO share a common facility known as the Law Enforcement Center.
Chief Mike Corley began the festivities by speaking on his arrival at BPD. John Harper was on the force but was deployed in Afghanistan. Corley stated that he had an idea of what Harper would be like and upon his return; he was pretty much like what was expected, a clean cut military guy that was very professional and respectable.
Corley spoke of going through Harper’s employment file. Many things in that file told the story of John Harper:
- Birth Certificate: He was born in Tacoma, Washington
- Two letters of resignation: One after a year of service in 1981, when he left to work at Bangs Police Department for 6 years and then the current one, 24 years later.
- He had commendation letters from four different chiefs, including Virgil Cowan, Joe Don Taylor, Joe Robbins and Vic Fowler. Each of these letters commented on Harper’s professionalism and how he performed his duties admirably.
- John was deployed to Afghanistan twice during his career with Brownwood Police, serving our country as a Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.
Corley thanked Harper’s wife Donna for the support she has given throughout the years that helped make it possible for him to serve both the BPD and in the Air Force by presenting her with a beautiful vase of red roses.
City Manager Bobby Rountree told how he first met Harper one night as he came to Rountree’s home to tell him that the nursing home where his mother-in-law was on fire.
“I can’t tell you how much the staff here and the citizens appreciate what you have done for this community,” stated Rountree.
Sgt. James Kidd, speaking on behalf of the Brownwood Municipal Police Association presented Harper with a watch. He also told of how he met Harper as a high school student.
“When I first moved to Brownwood when I was in high school, my friends and I were going to go to a party, they said we can’t go to that party because Harper might show up,” Kidd said. “I’m all, what’s a Harper? It didn’t take long to find out what a Harper was”.
Chief Corley also presented Harper with a Texas flag that had been flown over the capital in Austin in Harper’s honor. A letter of congratulations and appreciation from Governor Rick Perry is also to be received by Harper soon; however, did not make it in time to be presented at the reception.
One of the members of the police force that spoke of Harper and probably knows him the best is his coworker Sgt. Tracy Delgado, who also shared an office with him for many years.
“I’ve learned many things from you over the years, the most important one being grace,” stated Delgado.
Getting to know the people who work with the city was one of the things Harper said was best about working at BPD. He also spoke of the ties he has to Brown County. His dad was from Coleman, he grew up in Bangs and graduated high school there, and that his granddad was from Brown County. According to his military records, he is from Texas and that is where he claims to be from and the only reason he wasn’t born in Texas, was that his dad was stationed in Washington.
In essence, it was not a retirement party, but a well wishing for this next career as a Brown County Deputy for a well respected man who has meant a lot to many in the community.
Top Photo: Harper gets a big hug from his granddaughter at his retirement reception on Wednesday.
Brownwood Police Chief Corley presents Harper with a Texas flag that had been flown over the capital in Austin in Harper’s honor
