New Richmond:
(715) 243-5252  |  
River Falls:
(715) 425-8788

Daniel Harshman 12/27/2022

Daniel Dwight Harshman, 76, passed away December 27, 2022, in New Richmond, WI after a six-year battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara, who helped him immensely through that battle.

He was born December 6, 1946, in Minneapolis, MN to John Alvin Harshman and June ‘Betty’ Kline Harshman, who both preceded him in death.

Dan was raised in Fridley, MN primarily, but spent some elementary years in Ardmore, OK. Those years instilled a bit of cowboy in him which lasted throughout his life. I’d say he liken himself a ‘Sheriff’ or ‘Good guy’ with a bit of a wild side instead an ‘Outlaw’. There was always a special place in his heart for Oklahoma and Texas.
He attended Fridley High School where he enjoyed football and track. He graduated in 1964 and soon after joined the US Army in April 1965.
Daniel served in the US Army and Minnesota National Guard until February 1992, retiring as a Major. Most of his service in the Military Police. He honorably retired after 27 years and earned many medals and merits. He said the military taught him how to learn and credited his experience as foundational in his younger adult years.

Dan also served as a Saint Paul Police Officer for 30 years. He was appointed Emergency Patrolman on February 25, 1970; was certified Patrolman on March 23, 1970; was promoted to Sergeant on April 1, 1978; was appointed Acting Lieutenant for a period starting on May 13, 1984, again on April 18, 1993, and a third time on January 9, 1994; and retired on November 30, 1999. During his service he was a Patrolman, CIRT Sergeant, Homicide Detective, Arson Detective, Acting Lieutenant, and Commander of the Mounted Patrol.
He loved his family; his parents, John and Betty; his siblings, Celia (Eileen Bonkoski) Harshman, Jerry Harshman, Tom (Kim) Harshman and Paula (Nancy) Arnold; his wife, Barbara (nee Roemer) Harshman; his children, Suzi (Kevin) Holm, Lisa Carpentier, Timothy (Marcie Wacker) Harshman, Rachel Carpentier, Marc (Krista) Harshman, Pamela (Tom) Spencer, John (Rhonda) Carpentier and Andrea (Robert) Baldazo; his grandchildren, Shelby, Jordan, Matthew, Jake, Madison, Sebastian, Gabrielle, Bella, Chase, Drew, Aubrey, Molly, and Oscar; his extended family, military family, police family and his friends. He also loved his horses, dogs, and cats. Dan always expressed his love with whiskered ‘Mooches’ and bear hugs.

He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and motorcycling, especially motorcycling. Throughout his life Dan logged hundreds of thousands of miles on road trips on his various Harley’s with friends and family. Much of which after he retired and relocated to Cleburne, Texas for almost 20 years. Dan was also an active member of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club for 30 years and an occasional hooligan in Sturgis.
Dan, as I said, was a bit of a cowboy. He enjoyed horseback riding, drove cattle a time or two and even rode a bull once, albeit for only about two seconds before getting tossed. Dan, at times, could have been mistaken for the ‘Marlboro Man’ and was once even mistaken for Chuck Norris. Most times, Dan was just a cop who loved his job. Both took bravery, confidence, and heart.

Daniel will be greatly missed by many. His charming mustached smile. His free spirit. His wit and sense of humor. His loving heart. ‘Go rest high’ Sergeant Harshman. Your work on Earth is done.

 A funeral service was held on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 12:00 noon at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (728 S Knowles Ave) in New Richmond.  Visitation was also Thursday from 10:00-12:00 pm at the funeral home.  Private family interment was on Friday, January 13, 2023 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch Dan’s Funeral Service

In lieu of flowers, donations made to St. Jude in memory of Dan preferred

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html

9 Comments

  • Debbie Montgomery Posted January 4, 2023 5:26 pm

    As some peole journey through life, they leave footprints wherever they go, footprints of kindess and love, courage and compassion, humor and inspiration, joy and faith, Eben when they ate gone, we can still look back and clearly see the trail they left behind a trail bright with hope that invites us to follow!! I will always ha e his memories in following our times together!! Sincerely, Debbie and (Robert) Montgomery

  • The Thompson Family (Friends of Suzi and Kevin) Posted January 6, 2023 5:14 am

    Hé will be greatly missed We’re so saddened to hear and will keep the family in our prayers

  • Terry Sieben Posted January 6, 2023 4:14 pm

    Thank you Dan for your military service. My father so appreciated you and your professionalism when you served as his Aide-de-camp.

    Including your years of civilian police service, this quote seems to be very fitting…

    “We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.” – Winston Churchill

  • Douglas Cook Posted January 7, 2023 12:12 pm

    RIP Dan. You and I served together in the 257th Military Police Company. You gave me a chance as a fulltime person in personnel. I worked there keeping the unit going as the unit administrator and you were my company commander. I always respected you as the company commander. You were a great leader, friend and supervisor.

  • WILLIE and NATALIE E. HUDSON Posted January 8, 2023 7:00 pm

    WILLIE HUDSON January 8, 2023

    In 1972, I was fresh out of the St. Paul Police Academy when I was assigned to Squad 711. It was Officer Dan Harshman’s squad. That assignment led to a lifelong friendship that profoundly impacted me as a police officer and a man. Dan was the consummate professional and a “cop’s cop.” Dan was always transparent – he said what he meant and he meant what he said. He was what you saw: a family man, an officer and a gentleman. Although he was my training officer, he never made me feel like a “rookie.” Dan announced that we were “partners,” and over the next few years we trusted each other with our very lives. During his final months we had a chance to reminisce – once again we were “partners.” Dan, you’ve been called to an assignment “a little higher up.” I know you were ready because you told me about your daily talks with God. So partner, allow God to keep you in eternal peace.
    .

  • Howard Tucker Posted January 10, 2023 10:27 am

    I’m very sorry to hear that my friend has rode off into the sunset. He taught me how to ride a horse when I joined the mounted unit and I will always cherish those memories. I always look forward to seeing him at the retirement shoot every year. I’m really gonna miss my friend, Ride hard and well my friend.

  • Lieutenant Tim Mattsson -retired Posted January 11, 2023 6:04 pm

    I was an officer on the Minneapolis Police Mounted patrol from the time of its inception until 1996. St Paul was in the process of starting a mounted unit so we worked closely with them.

    Dan was well described in the above obituary. He had a great sense of humor. I often wonder what area of the county he had lived in as he seemed more of a cowboy then an midwestern. Now I know the history.

    We would ride our horses and then bring them to St Paul to allow the officers to ride until they got their own horses. We would train side by side with all the their team. What a great group of people with Dan leading the charge.

    Rest in peace my friend.

  • William Harshman Posted January 12, 2023 5:58 am

    R.I.P. Uncle Dan

  • Janet Nelson Posted January 12, 2023 10:54 am

    I don’t remember the first time I met Dan. It feels like I’ve always known him. He lit the path for me in the 70s on my road to a Law Enforcement career, while I was a Reserve Officer in St. Paul, and into my first job. I enjoyed a long career that Dan helped me to prepare for in both advice and example. Thank you, Dan. You will always be alive in our memories.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *