 Former saline County prosecuting attorney Dan Harmon sits at his work station at the county clerk’s office recently, where he holds a part-time, temporary position.
Courier StaffA former Saline County prosecuting attorney who served time in federal prison is now using the legal knowledge he once imparted in the courtroom to check the county’s court records.
Dan Harmon, who served eight years for racketeering and drug-related offenses, is working in a short-term, part-time job for Circuit Clerk Doug Kidd.
Since his release from prison in 2005, Harmon has held sundry jobs, including being a cook at the Waffle House restaurant, a used car salesman, an auto parts delivery man and a night clerk at an area motel. He’s also worked in a land development office, and is currently a weekend case worker for a local agency that serves chronically mentally ill people.
The best thing about being a free man, Harmon said at the end of his prison term, is being home with his family and friends. “Everyone is still so nice to me, and I really appreciate it,” he said.
The work he’s doing for Kidd’s office involves checking computer-scanned court documents against the actual paper case files, Harmon said.
Asked what he would say if someone were to criticize him for working for the county, Harmon said: “I’d say they need to get their Bible out and read about redemption, and I’d also tell them they need to realize what a bargain the county is getting for $9 an hour.”
Kidd said there’s no question that Harmon “is a bargain.” “He’s doing a good job and we’re very fortunate that someone with his legal knowledge is there to help us,” Kidd said.
“I almost feel a little guilty and that I’m taking advantage of someone with his knowledge and experience. We could never get someone with equal experience for nearly that price.”
Harmon’s job will probably take about two months to complete, Kidd said.
“It’s just a part-time position, but he’s helped us a lot. He’s found a lot of things we need to correct on these documents,” he said.
Kidd said someone asked him how he arrived at the $9 hourly rate for Harmon: “That’s what I pay all my part-time help,” Kidd responded.
The circuit clerk said he hopes people appreciate the service Harmon is providing for the county and can understand why Kidd hired him.
“First off, he’s been my friend since were in the second grade, and I knew he would do a good job for us,” Kidd said. “And we need to remember that we spend a lot of money every year rehabilitating people. We’ve got drug court that gives people a second chance ... it’s killing two birds with one stone to have him in this job.
“I approached (Harmon) because I knew he needed something to do, and I needed someone with legal knowledge that could do this work. I asked him if he’d do it and he said he would.”
Kidd pointed out that there are “309s (prisoners) working in the very building he’s working in, and they’re still incarcerated. Danny has served his time and paid his debt to society.”
Harmon, who lives in Benton with his sister, Donna Wright, said one of the most difficult adjustments he’s had to make now that he can no longer practice law has been a financial one.
“When you start over from scratch, it’s tough,” he said. “There’s never enough money to go around.”
He said he plans to pursue a master’s degree in social studies at University of Arkansas at Little Rock. “You know that tuition is free to people after 60, so it’s possible for me to go,” said Harmon, who is 63.
One of his greatest pleasures, he said, is spending time with his grandchildren and his three great-grandchildren.
His grandson, Daniel, has 19-month-old twin sons and a 9-month-old son.
“I wind up keeping them three or four times a week, and it’s a joy,” Harmon said. “I missed out on so much time with my kids, and I consider that I’m blessed to get to spend so much time with Daniel’s kids.
“They’re always so glad to see me,” he added.
Harmon said he especially enjoys his weekend work with mentally handicapped people.
“These people are unfortunate, and they touch your heart,” he said. “They’re nice and they’re not difficult. They’re easy to get along with.”
He said he enjoyed his stint as a cook at the Waffle House.
“It’s a lot harder than you think,” Harmon said. “It can get awfully busy in there, but it was great to visit with people. I got to visit with an awful lot of friends.”
And friends and family are what matter most to Harmon. During his period of incarceration, he said he learned how important loved ones are.
He said that what he said immediately following his release from prison remains true: “Jesus loves me, my family loves me and some of my friends love me. That’s all you need.”
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