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Pioneers pave way for female officers, retire
By Jessica Harper on May 2, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Eagan's first two female police officers to leave in late
May
When Lori Tripp joined the Eagan Police Department
in 1980 as its first female officer, her presence
wasn't always well received.
Male suspects often took offense at being arrested
by a woman. And her male colleagues weren't much
better.
"Some were direct and told me they didn't want me
there," Tripp recalls.
Others marginalized her in their attempts at praise.
In one instance, a superior officer repeatedly
complimented her for tackling a difficult suspect.
Normally such praise would be gratifying, but she
knew the comments were out of surprise she was
able to assist in restraining the suspect.
"It was frustrating, because I thought if I were a good
cop they would all like and respect me," she said.
A year later, Linda Myhre joined the force as the
department's second female officer.
She experienced a more receptive attitude from fellow officers, but still faced
resistance from some suspects.
Though Tripp and Myhre faced an uphill battle as rookies, their work left a lasting
impression on the force and the community.
Both women will retire in late May after more than three decades on the force.
"They will be missed," said Eagan Police Chief
Jim McDonald. "They brought a unique
perspective to Eagan."
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McDonald, who is Tripp's former partner, describes
Tripp and Myhre as dedicated officers who have a Linda Myhre
passion for helping victims.
Over the past 32 years, Tripp climbed the ranks from patrol officer to detective,
working in crime prevention, child protection, property crimes, white collar and crimes
against persons.
Her work has earned two awards — one for solving an attempted murder and the
other for creating a youth safety camp.
Tripp founded a safety camp in 1991 to teach elementary children about various
safety topics.
It's an accomplishment the 54- year -old said she is most proud of.
In 2004, Tripp faced the task of solving an unusual attempted murder case.
The victim, Lee Murray, was shot that summer out of vengeance for shooting a
juvenile in 1996. Murray's friend and fellow criminal, Harvey Eason, convinced the
juvenile's uncle to shoot Murray as retribution. Murray survived the shooting. Both
men are serving prison time after being found guilty in the incident.
Tripp's work in child abuse investigations has also made a lasting impression on her.
In 2010, she nabbed a sex offender by overseeing a controlled meeting between the
victim and the suspect. Just as the man began propositioning the 12- year -old girl for
sex,Tripp leaped from a closet to arrest him. The man was sequentially charged and
found guilty of criminal sexual conduct charges.
"These are often the toughest cases in that they are more emotional," Tripp said.
Though she encountered many successes along her career, Tripp made some
unwanted firsts as well, including being the first officer to be forced into early vacation
due to her pregnancy.
Breaking glass ceilings
Though Myhre was not the first female to join the Eagan police force, she too broke
glass ceilings in her time.
In 1977, Myhre joined the Eagan Fire Department as its first female firefighter.
She had heard exciting stories from local firefighters while working at a Tom Thumb,
and wanted a piece of the action.
"I want to prove I could do it," she said. "I wanted to be the first at something."
Myhre was also inspired by her father, George Scott, who served as an Eagan
firefighter for 30 years. r f
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"He was proud of me and always encouraged me," she said.
Her younger brother, Mike, also followed the family tradition shortly after Myhre left
the department. Today, he serves as the fire chief.
Due to her linage, fellow firefighters were quick to embrace the 18- year -old new
comer.
"I knew many of them already, and some who were older treated me like a daughter,"
she said.
As in a family, Myhre did get razzed at times, particular when she arrived to a late
night fire in pink pajamas, she recalls.
Myhre left the department to live in Inver Grove Heights for a short time, before joining
the Eagan Police Department in 1981.
She said her most rewarding experiences on the force came while working as a
detective.
"It's so meaningful to put criminals away and work with victims," she said.
In 1988, Myhre assisted in legislation that created laws addressing shaken -baby
incidents.
When asked why she decided to retire, Myhre, 53, said: "It's time. I love this job and I
love going to work but I don't like fighting with people anymore."
Though she plans to retire from the police department, Myhre won't quit working.
She plans to continue building a cleaning business she founded a few years ago.
Tripp said her plans after retirement are to spend more time with family and on her
hobbies.
Though they didn't realize it at the time, Tripp and Myhre paved the way for others on
the force.
"They are true pioneers," McDonald said.
Much has changed since their early days. Female officers are now seen as a norm
and are granted maternity leave and light duty, McDonald noted.
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