Obituary: Retired Highland Park Police Chief Willard Henry Gardner, under whom the town's police and fire departments were joined as a single department, died of complications from lung cancer Monday. He was 80. During his nearly 35 years in law enforcement and public safety in Highland Park, he developed a statewide reputation as a police officer's police officer.
"There are police officers who work their rear end off just to be officers, and then there are people it comes naturally to - and that was Henry," said Larry Gentry, a semiretired Highland Park police sergeant. Mr. Gardner followed in his father's footsteps to serve as Highland Park's police chief and president of the Texas Police Association.
He is remembered by his former colleagues as a strict but fair leader who cared deeply about his department's reputation. Detective Randy Millican said officers knew they were in trouble when Mr. Gardner's glasses slid down the bridge of his nose.
"When you made a mistake, he'd let you know about it," Detective Millican said. "But I don't know any officer who ever made the same mistake twice." Notable cases Mr. Gardner was involved in included the kidnapping of socialite Amanda Dealey in 1972 and of a 14-year-old Highland Park girl in March 1973.
Ms. Dealey, who was married to Joe Dealey Jr., son of a former publisher of The Dallas Morning News, was recovered safely. In the 1973 case, he was credited with saving the life of Leslie Janice Ward, who was abducted on her way to school. "It was obvious after some time went by that this guy wasn't trying to get money out of the deal; he was wanting the child," said Mr. Gentry, who was the patrol officer who took the offense report in the case.
"Henry Gardner came up with the idea that we needed to get word to this guy, by way of the press and the TV, that there were big bucks that were available, and all he had to do was ask for it. "Henry went on TV and made that passionate request, and sure enough the guy started making calls for money."
The girl was returned to her parents after federal agents arrested the kidnapper. That direct involvement, even as chief, was typical of Mr. Gardner, said Sgt. Gentry, who worked with him for 20 years before the chief retired.
"There was never any doubt that he was in control," he said. "But he didn't mind getting his hands dirty." Mr. Gardner's wife of nearly 60 years, Frances Gardner, said her husband was dedicated to the people of Highland Park. "He felt like he had to protect the people there," she said. "They depended on him to keep them safe."
He was born and raised in Dallas, graduating from North Dallas High School. As a child, he was a frequent visitor to the Highland Park police station, where his father, Millard Gardner, was chief from 1939 to 1950. "I knew from the first day I was there that I wanted to be chief," Mr. Gardner recalled in 1992. After a stint with the Highland Park Fire Department, Mr. Gardner joined the town's Police Department in 1951. He rose through the ranks and was named assistant chief in 1971. He was appointed the leader of combined police and fire departments in 1978 as director of public safety.
In addition to serving as president of the Texas Police Association, Mr. Gardner had been president of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and the North Texas Police Chiefs Association. He also served on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. He retired from public service in 1985 and became a security consultant to Dallas businessman H.R. "Bum" Bright.
Mrs. Gardner said she and her husband enjoyed travel, including to Mexico and Big Bend. Among his favorite places was Bosque County, where his ashes will be scattered. In addition to his wife, Mr. Gardner is survived by sons Steve Gardner of Dallas and David Gardner of Frisco, and two grandchildren. Friends and family will gather to remember him from noon to 3 p.m. today at the Gardners' Lake Highlands home at 9929 Crestwick Drive, but no public services are planned. Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of people's choice.
"There are police officers who work their rear end off just to be officers, and then there are people it comes naturally to - and that was Henry," said Larry Gentry, a semiretired Highland Park police sergeant. Mr. Gardner followed in his father's footsteps to serve as Highland Park's police chief and president of the Texas Police Association.
He is remembered by his former colleagues as a strict but fair leader who cared deeply about his department's reputation. Detective Randy Millican said officers knew they were in trouble when Mr. Gardner's glasses slid down the bridge of his nose.
"When you made a mistake, he'd let you know about it," Detective Millican said. "But I don't know any officer who ever made the same mistake twice." Notable cases Mr. Gardner was involved in included the kidnapping of socialite Amanda Dealey in 1972 and of a 14-year-old Highland Park girl in March 1973.
Ms. Dealey, who was married to Joe Dealey Jr., son of a former publisher of The Dallas Morning News, was recovered safely. In the 1973 case, he was credited with saving the life of Leslie Janice Ward, who was abducted on her way to school. "It was obvious after some time went by that this guy wasn't trying to get money out of the deal; he was wanting the child," said Mr. Gentry, who was the patrol officer who took the offense report in the case.
"Henry Gardner came up with the idea that we needed to get word to this guy, by way of the press and the TV, that there were big bucks that were available, and all he had to do was ask for it. "Henry went on TV and made that passionate request, and sure enough the guy started making calls for money."
The girl was returned to her parents after federal agents arrested the kidnapper. That direct involvement, even as chief, was typical of Mr. Gardner, said Sgt. Gentry, who worked with him for 20 years before the chief retired.
"There was never any doubt that he was in control," he said. "But he didn't mind getting his hands dirty." Mr. Gardner's wife of nearly 60 years, Frances Gardner, said her husband was dedicated to the people of Highland Park. "He felt like he had to protect the people there," she said. "They depended on him to keep them safe."
He was born and raised in Dallas, graduating from North Dallas High School. As a child, he was a frequent visitor to the Highland Park police station, where his father, Millard Gardner, was chief from 1939 to 1950. "I knew from the first day I was there that I wanted to be chief," Mr. Gardner recalled in 1992. After a stint with the Highland Park Fire Department, Mr. Gardner joined the town's Police Department in 1951. He rose through the ranks and was named assistant chief in 1971. He was appointed the leader of combined police and fire departments in 1978 as director of public safety.
In addition to serving as president of the Texas Police Association, Mr. Gardner had been president of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and the North Texas Police Chiefs Association. He also served on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. He retired from public service in 1985 and became a security consultant to Dallas businessman H.R. "Bum" Bright.
Mrs. Gardner said she and her husband enjoyed travel, including to Mexico and Big Bend. Among his favorite places was Bosque County, where his ashes will be scattered. In addition to his wife, Mr. Gardner is survived by sons Steve Gardner of Dallas and David Gardner of Frisco, and two grandchildren. Friends and family will gather to remember him from noon to 3 p.m. today at the Gardners' Lake Highlands home at 9929 Crestwick Drive, but no public services are planned. Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of people's choice.
Obituary: Retired Highland Park Police Chief Willard Henry Gardner, under whom the town's police and fire departments were joined as a single department, died of complications from lung cancer Monday. He was 80. During his nearly 35 years in law enforcement and public safety in Highland Park, he developed a statewide reputation as a police officer's police officer.
"There are police officers who work their rear end off just to be officers, and then there are people it comes naturally to - and that was Henry," said Larry Gentry, a semiretired Highland Park police sergeant. Mr. Gardner followed in his father's footsteps to serve as Highland Park's police chief and president of the Texas Police Association.
He is remembered by his former colleagues as a strict but fair leader who cared deeply about his department's reputation. Detective Randy Millican said officers knew they were in trouble when Mr. Gardner's glasses slid down the bridge of his nose.
"When you made a mistake, he'd let you know about it," Detective Millican said. "But I don't know any officer who ever made the same mistake twice." Notable cases Mr. Gardner was involved in included the kidnapping of socialite Amanda Dealey in 1972 and of a 14-year-old Highland Park girl in March 1973.
Ms. Dealey, who was married to Joe Dealey Jr., son of a former publisher of The Dallas Morning News, was recovered safely. In the 1973 case, he was credited with saving the life of Leslie Janice Ward, who was abducted on her way to school. "It was obvious after some time went by that this guy wasn't trying to get money out of the deal; he was wanting the child," said Mr. Gentry, who was the patrol officer who took the offense report in the case.
"Henry Gardner came up with the idea that we needed to get word to this guy, by way of the press and the TV, that there were big bucks that were available, and all he had to do was ask for it. "Henry went on TV and made that passionate request, and sure enough the guy started making calls for money."
The girl was returned to her parents after federal agents arrested the kidnapper. That direct involvement, even as chief, was typical of Mr. Gardner, said Sgt. Gentry, who worked with him for 20 years before the chief retired.
"There was never any doubt that he was in control," he said. "But he didn't mind getting his hands dirty." Mr. Gardner's wife of nearly 60 years, Frances Gardner, said her husband was dedicated to the people of Highland Park. "He felt like he had to protect the people there," she said. "They depended on him to keep them safe."
He was born and raised in Dallas, graduating from North Dallas High School. As a child, he was a frequent visitor to the Highland Park police station, where his father, Millard Gardner, was chief from 1939 to 1950. "I knew from the first day I was there that I wanted to be chief," Mr. Gardner recalled in 1992. After a stint with the Highland Park Fire Department, Mr. Gardner joined the town's Police Department in 1951. He rose through the ranks and was named assistant chief in 1971. He was appointed the leader of combined police and fire departments in 1978 as director of public safety.
In addition to serving as president of the Texas Police Association, Mr. Gardner had been president of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and the North Texas Police Chiefs Association. He also served on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. He retired from public service in 1985 and became a security consultant to Dallas businessman H.R. "Bum" Bright.
Mrs. Gardner said she and her husband enjoyed travel, including to Mexico and Big Bend. Among his favorite places was Bosque County, where his ashes will be scattered. In addition to his wife, Mr. Gardner is survived by sons Steve Gardner of Dallas and David Gardner of Frisco, and two grandchildren. Friends and family will gather to remember him from noon to 3 p.m. today at the Gardners' Lake Highlands home at 9929 Crestwick Drive, but no public services are planned. Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of people's choice.
"There are police officers who work their rear end off just to be officers, and then there are people it comes naturally to - and that was Henry," said Larry Gentry, a semiretired Highland Park police sergeant. Mr. Gardner followed in his father's footsteps to serve as Highland Park's police chief and president of the Texas Police Association.
He is remembered by his former colleagues as a strict but fair leader who cared deeply about his department's reputation. Detective Randy Millican said officers knew they were in trouble when Mr. Gardner's glasses slid down the bridge of his nose.
"When you made a mistake, he'd let you know about it," Detective Millican said. "But I don't know any officer who ever made the same mistake twice." Notable cases Mr. Gardner was involved in included the kidnapping of socialite Amanda Dealey in 1972 and of a 14-year-old Highland Park girl in March 1973.
Ms. Dealey, who was married to Joe Dealey Jr., son of a former publisher of The Dallas Morning News, was recovered safely. In the 1973 case, he was credited with saving the life of Leslie Janice Ward, who was abducted on her way to school. "It was obvious after some time went by that this guy wasn't trying to get money out of the deal; he was wanting the child," said Mr. Gentry, who was the patrol officer who took the offense report in the case.
"Henry Gardner came up with the idea that we needed to get word to this guy, by way of the press and the TV, that there were big bucks that were available, and all he had to do was ask for it. "Henry went on TV and made that passionate request, and sure enough the guy started making calls for money."
The girl was returned to her parents after federal agents arrested the kidnapper. That direct involvement, even as chief, was typical of Mr. Gardner, said Sgt. Gentry, who worked with him for 20 years before the chief retired.
"There was never any doubt that he was in control," he said. "But he didn't mind getting his hands dirty." Mr. Gardner's wife of nearly 60 years, Frances Gardner, said her husband was dedicated to the people of Highland Park. "He felt like he had to protect the people there," she said. "They depended on him to keep them safe."
He was born and raised in Dallas, graduating from North Dallas High School. As a child, he was a frequent visitor to the Highland Park police station, where his father, Millard Gardner, was chief from 1939 to 1950. "I knew from the first day I was there that I wanted to be chief," Mr. Gardner recalled in 1992. After a stint with the Highland Park Fire Department, Mr. Gardner joined the town's Police Department in 1951. He rose through the ranks and was named assistant chief in 1971. He was appointed the leader of combined police and fire departments in 1978 as director of public safety.
In addition to serving as president of the Texas Police Association, Mr. Gardner had been president of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and the North Texas Police Chiefs Association. He also served on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. He retired from public service in 1985 and became a security consultant to Dallas businessman H.R. "Bum" Bright.
Mrs. Gardner said she and her husband enjoyed travel, including to Mexico and Big Bend. Among his favorite places was Bosque County, where his ashes will be scattered. In addition to his wife, Mr. Gardner is survived by sons Steve Gardner of Dallas and David Gardner of Frisco, and two grandchildren. Friends and family will gather to remember him from noon to 3 p.m. today at the Gardners' Lake Highlands home at 9929 Crestwick Drive, but no public services are planned. Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of people's choice.
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