Eureka Mourns the Passing of Chief Murl Harpham
Press release from the Eureka Police Department:
EPD Chief Murl Harpham
By request of the Mayor and order of the City Manager, all flags at City facilities will be flown at half-staff beginning today through Friday, August 9, 2024 in honor of Murl Harpham, Chief of Police. Chief Harpham passed away earlier today, July 31, 2024 at 91 years of age. Murl Harpham served the City of Eureka as a Police Officer, Sergeant, Captain and finally as Chief of Police for over 56 Years. At the time of his retirement in 2014, Chief Harpham had served EPD, his original hiring agency, longer than any other officer in the State of California.
EPD Chief Brian Stephens has authorized mourning bands to be worn by department members until sunset on the day of Chief Harpham’s service.
Chief Murl Harpham’s legacy of hard work, dedication to the community, and loyalty within the Eureka Police Department will be missed along with his service above self-attitude.
The Mayor, Council, Eureka Police Department, and City of Eureka staff extends our deepest condolences to Harpham family.
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Great guy. My Babe Ruth baseball coach.
Rest in peace Chief Harpham.
He was the face of the police department for me. He always stood up and took extra duty when needed. RIP Chief.
never understood why people liked this guy.
Because he was a great man, fair and willing to work with those with problems. I’m sure if you knew him you would agree. That is unless you made poor choices in your life and he had to deal with you because of those poor choices.
I always liked the guy too, but it indeed was under his watch that O’Neil, Prosse and a bunch of other thugs disguised as officers were terrorizing Eureka. Unfortunately, this behavior is still going on, likely even worse than back then.
Because he was a straight-up guy and always told it like it was.
Not many people with authority like that anymore. Unfortunately
Never understood why by some ppl (looking at you) have to be a total ass at times like these.
Good man. Good heart. Very esteemable.
Helped my wife get her car out of impound…. put together a kitty to pay the impound fees after she had been kidnapped and raped. He said ” she shouldn’t have to be worried about this”. Thank you Murl.
Much respect and RIP, Chief Harpham.
So Long Big Blue
One of his son’s who was also a cop killed a woman in her apartment. Big cover-up after. He was just a good ole boy and nothing more.
Cover up my ass. She pointed a flair gun at the swat team and was manic threating to burn down the building with everyone in it. The cop haters are going to hate and say it could have been done a different way, but I don’t see any of them volunteering to actually do the job just sit back and talk shit.
They could have at least tried giving her that cigarette she was asking for before kicking in her door.
EPD did not do everything in their power to de-escalate that situation.
Why didn’t mental health go over there and talk to her instead of calling EPD? Once again join the force and show us how it is done. Better yet you go in and deescalate. What measures did they not take? Please inform us of specific steps they did not take ins5ted of a blanket statement. Here is a good video. Thomas Sewell can articulate better than I can
Why Are Californians So Stupid? (youtube.com)
That EPD did not let a mental health professional take point in the situation was one of their failings.
Ordering her friend who was on the phone with her trying to calm her down to hang up was another one of their failings.
Bursting in after such a short period of time and using lethal force was still another failing of the EPD.
Fortunately, EPD has made improvements in the way they handle similar situations. But, for a significant period of time, they suffered from poor leadership who compelled heavy-handed tactics.
Actually, mental health refused to go out and called EPD its not that they were prevented from it. Don’t believe everything you think.
I didn’t meet Murl until he was retired, but he was a good guy and a good neighbor!
I will miss seeing him. RIP buddy!