Captain Edward Harper, DSN 0861, was originally hired as a civilian clerk on 09/09/1942. In this capacity he worked at the following Districts and Divisions. They were the 10Th District, Records and Communications Division, and finally the 3rd District. Like many young men at the time, he resigned form his civilian position at the Saint Louis Police Department and went into the military during the World War from 1944 to 1947. After he was honorable discharged as a Sergeant in the United States Army he returned to his hometown of Saint Louis. Captain Harper was hired and a "Police Officer" and was commissioned on 07/05/1948, and entered the departments academy. After graduating from the academy he served in the following Districts and Divisions through out his distinguished career. They were the 11Th, Communications Division, and the 7Th. On 0813/1958 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and sent to the 12Th District as a "Line Platoon Supervisor." He also served as a Detective Sergeant in the Pawn Shop Section. On 02/01/1962 he was promoted once again to the rank of Lieutenant and then was a "Watch Commander" of the Canine Section. Other assignments as a Lieutenant included the Prisoner Processing Division, 4Th District, and Bureau of Filed Operations. On 11/19/1967 Lieutenant Harper was promoted to the rank of Captain and commanded the 1St District at 909 Holly Hills in South Saint Louis. After some time in the 1St he was made "Commander" of the Bureau of Services. During his career he was awarded a Letter of Honorable Mention for outstanding police work on 05/01/1949, and a Chief's Letter of Commendation on 03/01/1962 for police work above the call of duty. When Captain Harper retired he had 41.42 years of faithful and dedicated service to the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Captain Harper was also a veteran of World War II and achieved the rank of Sergeant. It should be noted that 4 of his sons also joined the ranks of the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department. There are Sergeant Ralph Harper, Lieutenant's Edward and John Harper, and Detective Clifford Harper. Captain Harper was buried at Resurrection Cemetery with a full compliment of the Saint Louis Police Departments "Honor Guard Unit" and was also attended by many members of the rank and file of the of not only the Saint Louis Police Department, by but many police agencies from through out the metropolitan area.