[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 9, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E245-E246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 30-YEAR CAREER OF PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ASSISTANT 
                        POLICE CHIEF DAWN HARMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 9, 2022

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of 
Prince William County Assistant Police Chief Dawn Harman and to 
congratulate her on her retirement following 30 years of dedicated 
service to county residents.
  The Prince William County Police Department was founded on July 1, 
1970 and serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the county 
and the towns of Dumfries, Occoquan, Haymarket, and Quantico. At the 
time of its founding, the Department had a staff of 52 which included 
police officers, commanders, dispatchers, and secretaries, with an 
operating budget of $750,000. Today, the Department has grown to nearly 
1,000 individuals with an annual operating budget of $116 million.
  Major Dawn Harman is a life-long resident of Prince William County 
and graduated from Garfield High School. She graduated from West 
Virginia University with a bachelor's degree in Animal and Veterinary 
Science, she was hired by the Police Department as a Deputy Animal 
Warden in September 1991, and then promoted as a Police Officer in 
January 1994.
  Throughout her 30-year career with the Police Department, Major 
Harman served in numerous assignments including animal control, patrol 
operations, crime prevention, accreditation, and support services. She 
rose quickly through the ranks due to her exemplary leadership and 
commitment to improving the agency. She served as the Director of the 
Animal Control Bureau and the Western District Commander before being 
promoted to the rank of Major in September 2014. She holds the 
distinction of being the first female Assistant Chief in the 
Department's history.
  Through her time as an Assistant Chief, Major Harman worked on 
several capital improvement programs including the planning

[[Page E246]]

and construction of a new Animal Services Center and the expansion of 
the Public Safety Training Center. While serving her community, she 
also obtained a Master of Public Administration from George Mason 
University, where she has served as an adjunct faculty member in the 
Department of Criminology, Law, and Society.
  Throughout her career, Major Harman has made a positive impact in 
every assignment she has held, always looking for ways to improve the 
Department's ability to provide quality services to the community. Her 
professionalism and commitment to service have left a lasting impact on 
the police department and the citizens of Prince William County. Major 
Harman made it a priority throughout her career to mentor and develop 
the next generation of leaders ensuring the continued success of the 
department.
  Her husband Mark is a retired member of the Police Department as 
well, and they have four children who were all born and raised in 
Prince William County. Two of her sons are also members of the Police 
Department, carrying on Dawn and Mark's legacy of public service.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the 30-
year career of Assistant Police Chief Dawn Harman with the Prince 
William County Police Department and thanking her for her tireless 
service to our community. I wish Major Dawn Harman and her family 
continued happiness and success in all things.

                          ____________________