Maryland State Police Recruit With Cerebral Palsy Overcomes Odds to Become Trooper

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland -- This Friday, a 21-year-old Maryland State Police recruit is set to overcome insurmountable odds when he achieves his dream of becoming a trooper.

Trooper Candidate Derek Harper, member of the Maryland State Police Academy Class 148, will walk across the stage to meet his father, Sgt. David Harper, who will pin a gold badge to his uniform and officially welcome him as a third-generation Maryland State trooper, according to a news release.

At the age of three, Derek Harper was diagnosed with cerebral palsy that most affected his legs. This began a series of visits to orthopedic specialists and endless physical therapy sessions and visits to Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore. He received shots in his legs. He was fitted with leg braces to assist with his balance and gait that he wore from age three through middle school. In 2007, Derek had major surgery on his legs. His legs were in casts for six weeks.

Regardless of the obstacles, Derek’s parents, David and Sandy, never stopped him from attempting anything. Derek played T-ball and soccer. He even ran cross country in elementary school, despite the braces. He participated in Cub Scouts and helped his Washington County elementary school’s Destination Imagination team win regional tournaments. Derek joined the Civil Air Patrol as a teenager. He wanted to be a drummer like his father, so he joined the band and was a member of his high school marching band. During his summers, Derek attended a boot camp type program run by military and police officers in Pennsylvania that focused on law enforcement, where he won the award for top cadet in his class. He attended Washington County Technical High School during his junior and senior years, where he excelled in the criminal justice program.

Sgt. Harper said he never once told Derek he wanted him to become a Maryland state trooper. He said his son first indicated he might want to follow in his father and grandfather’s career choice when he was in middle school.

When he graduated from high school in 2016, Derek passed the physical fitness test and background check and was hired as a Maryland State Police cadet. He was assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division New Market scale house. State Police cadets endure regular physical fitness tests. Derek passed them all.

In September 2018, Derek became a member of the 148th Maryland State Police Trooper Candidate Class. He has endured the rigors of a six-month residential police training academy that is known as one of the toughest in the country. He enrolled in the concurrent degree program with Frederick Community College and will complete his Associate of Arts degree in criminal justice soon after graduating from the Academy. He has endured the mental, physical and emotional challenges this intense training has presented him with. He has overcome each one.

Sgt. Harper said in 21 years, Derek has never once said, “I can’t do that.” He said Derek has had a ‘laser focus’ on his goal of becoming a Maryland state trooper.

Like everyone else, David and Sandy Harper know law enforcement is not a popular profession these days. Growing up, Derek had a front-row seat to see the negative aspects of the Maryland State Police careers of both his father and grandfather. Being a concerned dad, Sgt. Harper asked his son if he was sure this is what he really wanted to do. Without hesitation Derek responded, “Dad, if I don’t, who will?

Derek was hesitant to have his story publicized. He wants the focus to be on the members of Class 148 and what they have accomplished together during their training to become Maryland state troopers. Yet, he admits he was influenced by the story of Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer John Quinn and knows his personal story may help influence someone else.

Sandy Harper went to school with her son each day in elementary school to help him maneuver the obstacles. Now, she works helping other special needs children in the Washington County school system. Sgt. David Harper continues his work as a duty officer at the Maryland State Police Hagerstown Barrack. Both have been excused from their duties on March 22nd in order to attend Derek’s State Police Academy graduation.

Sgt. Harper was asked what he will be thinking when his son walks toward him on that stage wearing the same Maryland State Police uniform he and his father have worn. He said, “I’ll be thinking that’s my little boy, who I had to carry around because he couldn’t walk too far. Now, look how far he’s come.”

Despite his leg braces, Derek ran cross country in elementary school. He and his mother still run 5K races together. But regardless of how many races he has run, he has never hoisted the winner’s trophy.

On March 22, 2019, Trooper Derek Harper will cross a finish line and receive a trophy he has worked very hard for. His dad will proudly pin that trophy to his uniform and then receive Derek’s first salute as an official member of “Maryland’s finest.”

Information provided by Maryland State Police