Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The death in the line of duty of a young officer (Jonathan Diller) painfully yanked me back to another tragedy, the day I received a call from the R.C.P.D., Manhattan, KS. As Chaplaincy Coordinator for the Department, my heart sank for the first of many times regarding the loss of L.E.O.s over many years. Sorrow and pain return in power as I remember Sgt. Donald Harbour and think of the family surrounding Officer Diller.
Sgt. Harbour introduced me to the R.C.P.D. when Pastor Steve Washburn was called to leave the post. I would be the only, and second, chaplain, 10 years fresh to parish ministry, and a wet rooky. Don welcomed me with a giant handshake and equal smile. He escorted me to meet a plethora of wonderful people, soon to become dear friends. I could hardly remember a few names. Now, I can remember few, but what will never leave me is the assurance that I was welcome, respected and considered useful to the cause we all shared...service to the community of Riley County, KS.
I collected countless emotional and understanding treasures to cherish in my concluding years. But, tops is the friendship of my guide, mentor and hero; Sgt. Donald Harbour. Chaplains are few and far between now. Religious people are more suspected than many criminals. But, back in the good old day great men like Sgt. Harbour taught civilians, like me, to operate a Vascar speed recording device, take a gun away from a "perp", or talk on a unit radio (even if I had trouble learning the "10 Code". "Chappy" speaks English and Sgt. Harbour says it's O.K!
Law Enforcement and it's practitioners have changed in many ways over half a century. But, the spirit of great officer has not changed. They are among the most magnificent humans you'll ever meet. When you do, say "Thanks!". You don't have to be lucky to meet one like Sgt. Don Harbour. I know several in my neighborhood today. They are as varied as the citizens they serve and protect. They are outstanding in one mighty way....They'll rush into danger to save you, a total stranger, and they'll stick by you 'till the crisis is over.
This Christian Pastor & "Chappy" took this valuable lesson to heart. I finished formally in 2012, but still practice the ethos of the badge without any credential whatsoever, but the Cross of Christ. Sgt. Donald Harbour taught me more than all the professors of ministry on the way to 3 advanced degrees for the profession.
May God constantly stand all around our L.E.O. and their vital support persons! May we take comfort in knowing The Lord is their Partner even when they're alone on duty. May the Spirit of God care for them when they go home to rest, at end of a shift, or after their Last Watch. They let me walk/run beside them for a while.
They allowed me to feel the tension, danger and comradery. I lit my pipe when it was "smoke & joke" time, I got to serve a "donut day", before it became unspeakable fellowship. I will be forever grateful for Sgt. Donald R. Harbour and my heart still echos the great "Amen" we lifted on the day of his funeral....for we'll hear the choir again in Glory. I'll listen for his authoritative baritone might in praise of God Almighty!
Be blessed in Christ,
Dr. James "Chappy" Cramer

Volunteer Chaplain, DMin., James Cramer
Riley County Police Department, Kansas

March 28, 2024

Don,
I was driving around Manhattan the other day (For those that don't know, Manhattan and Ogden are in the same county) and pulled into a park. When I looked up I saw a sign, The Don Harbour Park! The memories instantly started flooding back even though it has been just over 40 years! Some horrible and alot of great ones. I grew up in Ogden. You went above and beyond serving your community, I remember days that were bad weather, you would drive around and pick up the grade school kids and give them a ride to school. You would be close to the school when it was time to get out keeping an eye on things and making sure the children were safe. You always kept an eye on the most innocent.
The horrible memory is, I was also there that day. I was one of those children you kept an eye on. I was 11 years old, it was still summer break and I was out riding my bike. I was directly across the street infront of the American Legion. I remember hearing a commotion so I stopped, it was Don, giving instructions to get out of the vehicle. They didn't comply and was backing up onto main street very fast and were trying to get away. When the first shots were fired I jumped off my bike and laid on the ground. At first after the shooting stopped I didn't know that Don had been hit. He was laying on the ground in the middle of main street and had made several shots from that position. After the shooting had stopped, Deborah Andrews ran over to him because he was still laying on the ground but now his head was down. She rolled him over and started screaming for help, and that's when the Medic ran over. I will never forget him!!! He is a TRUE Hero!!!!

Rebecca Fugate
Friend- Community Kid He Protected

December 20, 2022

God bless you

Nick mottola
None

August 9, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 9, 2020

Don... The year you were killed was my rookie year on the department, and I remember you as a mentor - - someone to be listened to and respected. I learned from you how to serve in a way that balanced law enforcement with compassion. The department and the community lost an incredible man and officer that fateful day.

You are still remembered all these years later. In fact, I'll be mentioning you at a "flagpole ceremony" tomorrow at Olathe (KS) Police Department, where they have been gracious enough to allow me to give a brief tribute to you. (Peace Officers Memorial Day, 2019)

I know you are up there, an angel wearing a badge, looking down and protecting officers that may waiver in courage, strength, and faith. Know that you are remembered and missed...

Dave Parnell
Former RCPD officer

May 14, 2019

As you departed the bonds of this earth and touched the face of God, know that the selfless service, commitment and dedication you had for your family, community, fellow officers and a grateful nation will never be forgotten.

May God comfort in this time of sorrow your family, your fellow officers and all those whose lives you have touched.

You have served your time in hell, now rest comfortably in the arms of God - We'll take it from here.

Capt. James Moore, Retired
Gardner, KS PD

August 10, 2016

I think about Don & the times he helped me on my shift & at the range when I was a new cadet. As I go to work on a daily basis, I think about Don and how his mentoring effected my career in Law enforcement. His loss is not forgotten.

Lt. Stephen Holman
Caldwell County Constable

June 22, 2014

Rest in Peace, Officer Harbour. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 4, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 31rst anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for the solace for all those that love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

February 4, 2013

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

July 16, 2012

To this officer family, I was in Kansas that year and working out of Ft. Riley. Two of my daughters got almost hit by the rubbers, when they went to the gas station to take the other car. I remember the officer well since I us to go to Ogden and met him at the post office several times, he knotted his head to me always, never said a word. I remember him patrolling the streets always. My wife got a ticket, we laugh of the occation, but in reality I admired officer Harbour for his devotion to duty.

SFC Rodriguez Olivero
retired US Army, Ft. Jackson SC

February 26, 2012

I just wanted to say that Officer Harbour meant a lot to me when I was a child. I was only in 1st grade when I met him. He was a friend of my parents and to the community. I remember he and his colleagues would pass out football cards to us kids to collect. He did a special favor for me though; he did me the honor of being my personal guest for show-and-tell in my first grade class. He showed up on my behalf, talked to our class, and showed us some of his gadgets. We all laughed and had a great time. I remember his smile. And, even as a child, I remember that terrible, fateful day. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was a sad but noble lesson that I learned once I saw the courage, bravery, and service behind the smile that made a positive difference in my life. I'll never, never forget him. Thank you, God, that I had the pleasure of knowing him.
-Nathan Surber

Nathaniel Surber
Friend

December 16, 2009

The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 25, 2007

For Mrs. Harbour and the rest of Don's family,
I remember knowing at the time that Ofc. Harbour was killed and thinking how sad it must have been for his family. Being a somewhat self-absorbed kid, I didn't pay much attention other than that.
Now that I've seen the stories our newspaper did that day and in the following days, I'm overwhelmed by what you all must have gone through. I'm struck by Ofc. Harbour's courage and the wonderful things people said about him. He was clearly a role model and friend to many, and I wish I'd known him.
Most sincerely,
Deb Whitson

Deb Whitson
newspaper editor, townie

August 9, 2007

Don,

We are going to have a ceremony tommorow at your memorial in the city park to reflect our loss. Its hard to believe that it has been 25 years ago. You done a good job policing Ogden and new every business owner in the community by name and stopped in to visit and see how we were doing. You always cleaned your shotgun at my store. This was your area and you looked after it. You went the extra effort to check on things in the community and at the grade school to make sure everything was allright. You always looked after the kids at the grade school like a father. I did what you asked that day but always wished that I could of done more. God Bless, Pat

Pat Livingston
Pat's Pawn & Gun Shop Inc.

August 8, 2007

Don,

I was dispatching that fateful day, and will always remember sending you to that call, then hearing someone yelling on your radio that you were down. It's been 25 years, and I still miss you. The impact you left on all of us at RCPD will remain forever. Rest in peace Don..

Detective Faye (Hannes) Dietsch
Tucson Police Dept

May 9, 2007

Don,

I remember the first day you trained me...It was a riot! We did every stereotypical thing that cops do. Our first stop was at the doughnut shop for a few glazed and coffee. You set you coffee on the dashboard and we both forgot about it...until it landed in my lap! I didn't think you were ever going to stop laughing! I never forgot what you taught me, and I passed it on to my recruits over the years.

Thank you, Don, for getting me off to a good start. God blees.

Mark

Sgt. Mark D. Wilson
Overland Park (KS) PD

Don,

I think of you often. I was but a rookie when you were killed in the little town of Ogden outside Pat's pawn and gun. Your funeral and procession will leave an impression on me that last forever. I worked in Junction City then now 20 years later so much has changed and happened. We miss and love you Brother Officer.

Sergeant Thomas D. Roy
Sauk Rapids PD MN

Rest in Peace Don. You will never be forgotten.

Patrolman Terrence Stewart
Dept. Veterans Affairs Police Topeka, KS