Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Harper, You are not forgotten by the men and women of Massachusetts Law Enforcement. RIP

Mike Kane
Retired Detective, Boston Police Dept.

August 12, 2023

Rest in peace Trooper Harper.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 17, 2020

I had met trooper Harper but I did not know him well. I will never forget the night he was killed or his funeral. I was on scene that night and almost remember it like it was yesterday. The Good die to young.

Ret. Cpl. Bill Buron
Springfield Missouri PD

February 9, 2017

There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you, Dad, and the huge sacrifice that you made that fateful day. As well as the many other law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line everyday to serve and protect. I'd like to thank all the people that have stopped by and left a comment on my fathers' page. I love and respect my father, to this day, as well as many others do.

Brad Harper
Middle son

November 25, 2015

Your sacrifice will always be remembered! Thank you Trooper Harper. Rest in Peace!

Corporal Tony Dunn
Mississippi Highway Patrol, Troop D

February 8, 2015

IN HONORE CASORUM
The promise... Always honored, never forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

February 8, 2015

Thinking of you today. Thank you for your dedicated service to others. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

February 8, 2013

rest in peace

Pfc Jon Pease
C M P D-retired bpd

February 8, 2013

I think of you often, Trooper Harper, of whom I knew better as Uncle Russell. I recently made a trip to Springfield, MO to see my nephew receive his doctoral diploma and as I passd by the outskirts of the city I was awestruck by the sign commemorating Trooper Harper, for his service to the state and his country. I am proud of your memory, Uncle. God bless you and your family. Thank you for your service and your legacy. Rest in peace.

Robb L. Robinson
Nephew and former Marine Reservist

June 15, 2012

Miss ya, dad. -Nick

Nick Harper
Son of Russell Harper

August 31, 2011

Never forgotten.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

February 8, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 24th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

February 8, 2011

At the Time Trooper Harper made the ultimate sacrafice I was the Fire Chief for the Pleasant View Fire Department. We were conducting training that sunday afternoon on a brand new set of the " Jaws of Life ". Of course we all had our vhf radios and scanners on as normal for members of the fire department. When we heard it sounded like a law enforcement officer had been killed we stopped all of our training to listen to the radio traffic. It was very somber afternoon from then on.. seemed like training took a backseat till we knew what was going on. We had at least 3-4 different area fire departments at the station and all basically said it would be ok if we postponed the training till another day. To this day every time my family and I pass by the intersection of FR189 and US Route 60 I cant help but thank of that day and what occured, as well as read the sign that was erected in Trooper Harpers name.

John D. Saunders, Telecomunicator
Springfield / Greene County 911

March 1, 2009

Trooper Harper, every time I drive through Fordland, you are in my thoughts. Perhaps if they would have punished the man that caused you to make the ultimate sacrafice when he did the same to my uncle, you would still be here. I would have like to have met, and worked along side of you. My prayers are with you and your family, sir. Rest easy, brother. We have the watch now.

Blessed be the peace keepers, for they shall be called children of God.
Mathew 5:9

Deputy
TCSD, MO

August 16, 2008

You and your family have my utmost respect. Please know you are not forgotten. Thank you for your service. Rest in peace and may your family be proud.

trooper
Ohio State Highway Patrol

March 18, 2008

I, too, went to school in Osceola with the Harper boys. Russell's son, Brad was my best friend. I learned respect for law enforcement through Russell. To the Harper family and all others that stand in the Line of Duty: You remain in my families prayers each and every day. God Bless those who put their lives on the line to protect us, even as strangers.

Kurt Wallace
Friend of the Harper family

January 5, 2008

I, too, went to school in Osceola with the Harper boys. Russell's son, Brad was my best friend. I learned respect for law enforcement through Russell. To the Harper family and all others that stand in the Line of Duty: You remain in my families prayers each and every day. God Bless those who put their lives on the line to protect us, even as strangers.

Kurt Wallace
Friend of the Harper family

January 5, 2008

"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

December 6, 2007

For many years this officer stood the watch... While some of us lay about at night, this officer stood the watch...
While others of us were attending schools and, yes, even before some of us were born, this officer stood the watch...As our families watched the storm clouds of war
brewing on the horizons of history, he stood the watch...
Often he would look around and see his family needed his guidance, but he knew he must stay because,he had the watch...For many years he stood the watch so that we
and our fellow citizens could sleep soundly in safety knowing that this officer would stand the watch.

Today we are here to say...
"The watch stands relieved..."
Relieved by those you have led, guided, and trained...


Friend
"You stand relieved...
We have the watch."

Sergeant Brian Sells
Republic Missouri Police Dept.

Sergeant Brian Sells
Republic Police Dept

October 25, 2007

We still remember and you and your family are in our prayers. Hats off to our men and women who wear the uniform and pledge to serve and protect....you will never be forgotten....GOD BLESS your family and friends..May GOD give them the strength to continue on their daily path until the time comes for those paths to meet again..Standing on his Promise..

J. Lejeune MO Probation and Parole
Wife of MO. State Trooper

March 14, 2007

Still not forgotten after 20 yrs. Your family will be in my prayers today on the anniversary of your EOW.
Melissa
wife of michigan leo

wife of a leo

February 8, 2007

19 yrs. ago this day, never to be forgotten. God Bless the Harper family.

Ret. PO
City of Miami PD (Fla)

February 8, 2006

Trooper Harper, rest in peace. We will never forget you.

"Well done, good and faithful servant!... Come and share your master's happiness."

Rosa Waters
Mother of Michael Waters
EOW: September 11, 2003

February 23, 2005

Justice served.
Rest In Peace.

Police Officer
C.P.D. ILLINOIS

February 7, 2004

I have just received a retirement announcement from one of my Patrol recruit class members and that made me think of the Patrol members who will never be allowed that priviledge. Trooper Russ Harper and Trooper Hank Bruns, both classmates of mine have made the ultimate sacrifice and will never enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best to make the world a better place, and that you can now go home and leave it with somebody else. I miss both of them terribly even though its been 15 years since they both departed this world.

Ret. Sergeant J. W. Burford
Missouri State Highway Patrol