Episode 59

Dallas Police Department Major Mark Harris #7877

”The craziest rage I’ve ever felt in my life”

Today the ATO crew is sitting with a genuine individual and true professional to discuss the “Charlie Brown Effect”.

Dallas Major Mark Harris grew up in St Louis and found the love of his life Yvonne before joining the United States Marine Corp as he started his life of service.  From 1986-1989 he began his life in law enforcement as an MP for the USMC before he traveled to South Texas to work for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office until 2000. 

In 2000 he joined the Dallas Police Department and has risen through the ranks up to Police Major and now commands the North Central Patrol Division. 

Mark has had several events in his life and career that have defined him and also strengthen him as he endured the “Charlie Brown Effect”. 

Every year at Thanksgiving Charlie would trust Lucy to hold the ball while he kicks it, and every year she would yank the ball away and Charlie would fall flat on his back. Yet Charlie still tries, every year, to kick that ball that Lucy holds. 

Life can be that way for all of us…..Falling flat on our backs. However getting back up and being persistent is what can define a person and establish growth.  Throughout his career Mark never stopped trying to kick that ball and he is now a Major in one of the largest Police Departments in the country. 

Even as a Commander he never lost his genuine kindness he has possessed his entire life as he always treats his troops with fairness, compassion, and support. 

You can travel the halls of Dallas PD headquarters and you will be hard pressed to find anyone to say something negative towards Major Mark Harris.

Special guest cohost Narcotics Detective Todd “T-Bone” Conway joins us as he is a longtime friend of Major Harris as well having a unique perspective as he was present when Mark was shot while running a Narcotics search warrant in the Pleasant Grove area of Dallas.

Critical Incident:

On 9/28/2006 at 9711 Pinehurst, Dallas Texas, Dallas Police Narcotics Division were involved in a shooting while they executed a search warrant. During this officer involved shooting Major Harris was hit with gunfire as his teammates returned fire at the barricaded suspect.