Emil Harris (December 29, 1839 – April 28, 1921)[1][2] was the only Jewish police chief in Los Angeles, California.[3] He was also the second to have occupied the position since it was established in 1877.[4] Harris was appointed to serve for one year from December 27, 1877 to December 5, 1878.[5]
He was born in Prussia and immigrated to Los Angeles in 1869. He helped create the city's first volunteer fire department. He began a six-person police department where he quickly became a deputy chief. The Yiddish-speaking cop became chief after his leadership in the Chinatown massacre of 1871.[4] He was previously a detective who - together with then chief B.F. "Frank" Hartley and other officers - captured the horse thief Tiburcio Vasquez in 1874[6] at the present-day intersection of Santa Monica Blvd. and Kings Road.
In 1879, he also became the mayor pro tempore of Los Angeles.[5]
| Police appointments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Chief of LAPD 1877–1878 |
Succeeded by |
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