In Memory of Rick Harned // The Rick Harned Police Scholarship
"Our son was dedicated to his profession. He was proud of being a cop and serving the needs of our community."
—Lynn Harned
The parents of Rick Harned could not think of a more fitting tribute to their son than to establish an endowment in his name at Hawkeye Community College. Rick Harned, a graduate of Hawkeye’s police science program, was a 30-year veteran of the Waterloo Police Department. Harned and his wife, Suzanne, died in September 2003.
The Harned family has found comfort in knowing that by establishing an endowment, Rick’s passion for serving as a police officer will live on through future police science students. “Our son was dedicated to his profession. He was proud of being a cop and serving the needs of our community. Rick would be very honored that we are helping future officers with their education. Hawkeye provides students an opportunity to get a feel for what they want to do. We were sold on it,” said Lynn Harned.
The scholarship was established in 2005 and is awarded to two police science students each fall and spring semester. The Harned family has included the Hawkeye Community College Foundation in their planned giving to ensure the scholarship honoring their son will continue forever.
Lynn and Marge Harned enjoy meeting their scholarship recipients. They are able to personally share Rick’s story while also discovering the students’ dedication to law enforcement. The generosity of people like the Harneds greatly helps all of our students and the law enforcement community.
Rick was highly respected among his co-workers and was very dedicated to his job. In 1984, Rick was honored as the Waterloo Police Officer of the Year by the Waterloo Exchange Club. This award is presented to a police officer who has demonstrated the virtue of dedication to his or her department, community, and the citizens. Rick touched many lives through his profession and many still honor his legacy today by donating to this endowment.