The Criminal Justice System is quite large. There are many areas in which a person can be involved: Law Enforcement, Attorneys, Judges, and so on. Most professionals spend their time in one segment, but the Honorable Judge Jeff Harper answered 911 calls, turned on the blue lights, carried the briefcase, and donned the robe in what would be an exemplary career.
Jeff Harper has always had a servant's heart and a passion for the city of Springdale. As a lifelong resident who completed his education through Springdale High School, Judge Harper continued to pursue his dreams while serving the citizens. Judge Harper began his career with the city as a dispatcher from 1973-1976. Judge Harper was a dispatcher when tragedy struck the City of Springdale and the Springdale Police Department: Officer John Tilman Hussey was killed in the line of duty on December 21st, 1975. Judge Harper came in the following day to what may have been one of the most chaotic days in the history of the Springdale Police Department. Still, he had to remain composed to fulfill his duties to not only his fellow Officers but to the citizens being a voice of calm behind the radio. Judge Harper now presents new Officers with a presentation about Officer Hussey's life and the unimaginable events surrounding Officer Hussey’s ultimate sacrifice so we may never forget our brother whom we have never met or worked alongside.
Continuing to serve the city, in 1976, Judge Harper became a Police Officer, fulfilling a dream job but beginning the groundwork for his ultimate passion. While covering the beat, Judge Harper took college courses, graduating from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and continuing into Law School, graduating in 1982 with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas.
In 1982, utilizing his newly earned degree, Judge Harper joined the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office as the investigator to the Prosecuting Attorney, Kim Smith. The following year, Judge Harper became a Deputy Prosecutor at the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office, trying felony cases. Judge Harper also maintained his law practice on the side, helping residents with their personal needs. He also married the love of his life, Donna, and began a family, rearing two children: Matt and Kayley.
In 1987, Judge Harper received the title that most of our current law enforcement officers knew him as—City Attorney of Springdale—a title he would hold until 2012. Judge Harper also partnered with Mike Blocker, former Springdale Chief of Police, in private practice from 1987-1996. Springdale wasn’t the only city where Judge Harper served as prosecutor; he maintained justice for Elkins, Johnson, and Gentry residents. In 1999, Judge Harper received the Glenn G. Zimmerman Award for making an outstanding contribution to the practice of Arkansas municipal law. From 2000 to 2001, Judge Harper was the president of the Arkansas City Attorney’s Association. One of his most memorable cases as city attorney was when a defendant stated that he was bit by a snake at Wal-Mart but was later charged for filing a false police report after his friends filmed the incident and posted it online.
In 2013, Judge Harper wore the robe and slammed the gavel for the first time as the District Judge in Springdale, a well-deserved title to cap his servant career. While on the bench, Judge Harper has heard thousands of cases, from misdemeanor cases to civil issues.
From late-night calls from Officers and Detectives on search warrants to allowing kids to sit behind the bench, Judge Harper is always there to lend a hand and serve the city he loves.
Judge Harper is always willing to teach and has made each Officer he comes in contact with better in their careers. Judge Harper has been a Certified Law Enforcement Instructor teaching at the basic academy from 1984 to the present day and an associate instructor at the Northwest Arkansas Community College from 1995-2020. If you were a student of one of his classes, either in the classroom or the courtroom, you knew you had received hands-on knowledge from one of the best.
As Judge Harper hangs up the robe and passes the gavel, we congratulate and thank him for his decades of service to the city of Springdale. The footprint is large and probably will never be filled again with what Judge Harper has done with the criminal justice system in the City of Springdale. A man who is stern but fair with the law, caring for all involved, and ensuring that there is Justice For All. We take this time to celebrate the career of the Honorable Judge Jeff Harper.