Officer Paul Harlan was killed in a vehicle accident while pursuing a hit and run suspect.

On November 22, 1979, Officer Harlan spotted a vehicle suspected of being involved in a hit-and-run accident. The vehicle, driven by a recent parolee fled and Officer Harlan became involved in a high-speed pursuit until both vehicles spun out in loose gravel in the intersectioin of Murphy Boulevard and Landreth Avenue and struck a stone retaining wall. Officer Harlan suffered a splintered leg fracture. During his recovery the next month blood clots traveled from the leg fracture to his heart resulting in his death on December 6th. The 17 year-old suspect was apprehended and convicted of manslaughter.

Officer Harlan joined the department as an EMT in 1977, became a police officer in June 1978 and moved to traffic in August 1979. He was survived by his wife. Interred: Forest Park Cemetery.