Early Years
Parker was born in Lead, South Dakota, and raised in Deadwood. Like many Midwesterners, the Parker family migrated to Los Angeles, California, in 1922, for better opportunities, when the city was advertised as the "white spot of America" during that period. Parker originally wanted to be an attorney, but later decided to join the Los Angeles Police Department on August 8, 1927. He served as an LAPD officer for 15 years before taking a leave to fight in World War II. He received a Purple Heart after being wounded during the Normandy invasion, and an Italy Star. As soon as he returned home he was re-assigned to basic patrol status with the LAPD.
Read more about this topic: William H. Parker (police Officer)
Famous quotes related to early years:
“I believe that if we are to survive as a planet, we must teach this next generation to handle their own conflicts assertively and nonviolently. If in their early years our children learn to listen to all sides of the story, use their heads and then their mouths, and come up with a plan and share, then, when they become our leaders, and some of them will, they will have the tools to handle global problems and conflict.”
—Barbara Coloroso (20th century)