Clarence Harmon facts for kids

Clarence Harmon (born 1940) is an important American politician. He served as the 44th Mayor of St. Louis from 1997 to 2001. He was also the second African-American mayor of the city. Before becoming mayor, he had a successful career in law enforcement.

Clarence Harmon's Early Life and Education

Clarence Harmon was born in 1940. He grew up in a Baptist family in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the only boy among three children. His father worked as a cook on a railway. His mother was a nurse.

School and Military Service

As a boy, Harmon changed to Catholicism to attend McBride High School. This was a school just for boys. After finishing high school, he joined the United States Army. He served in the 101st Airborne Division. Later, he went to Northeast Missouri State University. Today, this school is known as Truman State University.

Clarence Harmon's Career in Public Service

Before becoming mayor, Clarence Harmon worked in the police force. He became the 30th Commissioner of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. This happened between 1991 and 1995. He was the first African American to hold this important police role.

Making St. Louis Safer

As Police Commissioner, Harmon worked to make St. Louis safer. He focused on areas like Fox Park, St. Louis. This area had a lot of crime. After just 30 days of his work, crime in that part of the city dropped by 47%.

Becoming Mayor of St. Louis

In 1997, Clarence Harmon decided to run for mayor. He won against the current mayor, Freeman Bosley Jr., in the Democratic Primary election. He then won the main election by a large number of votes.

After his victory, Harmon called for unity in St. Louis. He famously said, "Tear down the walls of isolation, St. Louis!" This message was about bringing people together. He wanted to help heal any differences between groups in the city. Harmon ran for re-election in 2001 but was not successful in the Democratic Primary.