COLUMBUS — Former Mansfield Police Chief Lawrence Harper (1926-2016) was inducted into Ohio’s Civil Rights Hall of Fame during a special ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse earlier this week, according to Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina).
“Chief Harper dedicated his entire life to the service of his country, his community and his fellow man,” Obhof said. “It’s an honor to recognize his leadership and his experiences as a civil rights pioneer. We can all look to his legacy as an example for future generations.”
Obhof met with Harper’s family prior to the ceremony. Harper was Mansfield’s first black police chief. He died in December, 2016 at the age of 90.
Harper was born in Mansfield and spent most of his life and career there. He was one of the first black men to enter the Marine Corps in World War II and served in the South Pacific and in China and took part in the battle of Okinawa. He earned several medals for his military service.
Upon Harper’s return to the U.S. and completion of high school, he joined the Mansfield police department as its first black police officer and later as the city’s first black police chief. He retired as the department’s longest-serving police officer and chief.
The Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame acknowledges Ohio citizens known for their tireless efforts to pursue civil and human rights in their communities, thus preserving their rightful place in Ohio’s history. In addition to Chief Harper, other inductees included:
Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert H. Jones (Ret.)
Moses Fleetwood Walker
The Marching Mothers and Children of the 1954 Hillsboro Fight for Integration
For more information about each inductee, visit: www.crc.ohio.gov.
