BY BETH HUNDSDORFER
News-Democrat
When Nathaniel Harris was growing up, he wanted to be just like his dad.
Today, he gets his wish.
Harris will put on the police uniform his father, Ted, has worn for more than 30 years and begin his career with the Fairview Heights Police Department.
“When I was in high school and would ride along with my dad, I thought of how cool it would be if we were cops together,” Nate Harris said. “I always thought if the opportunity presented itself, I was going to try to get on with Fairview Heights.”
Lt. Ted Harris, the patrol commander, will have to make some adjustments at work, including having his 26-year-old son call him “boss.”
“He gets to be an adult and moves away from home, but now I am his boss again,” Ted Harris said.
It’s the first time a father and son will serve on the Fairview Heights Police Department at the same time, Chief Ed Delmore said.
Nate served as a police officer with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police Department for the last three years.
Nate Harris, 26, joins the force with James William Mason, a U.S. Army Reserve drill sergeant.
Mason graduated from Mascoutah High School in 1997 -- five years after Hurricane Andrew destroyed his family’s home in 1992. He joined the Army in 1997 and served as an artilleryman.
In 2000, Mason returned the area and worked as a loss prevention agent for Famous Barr and attended Southwestern Illinois College. He graduated with his associate’s degree in 2004.
“I want to go as far as I can with my career,” Mason said. “The sky’s the limit.”
Mason will attend Southwestern Illinois’ College’s police academy before he begins his 12-week training period.
“We are lucky to have both of them join us,” Delmore said. “They are young and eager. It’s really exciting to see someone at the beginning of their career.”
Contact reporter Beth Hundsdorfer at bhundsdorfer@bnd.com (mailto:bhundsdorfer@bnd.com) or 239-2570.
Belleville News Democrat (http://www.belleville.com/)