Harris man honored for chasing down bank robber

By Barbara Brown
Donít call Larry Eckl a hero. Heíll probably just blush a little and brush off the gratitude.
Eckl isnít really used to standing out in a crowd. Heís a mild-mannered man who volunteers for the Harris fire department and likes to spend time with his grandchildren.
Then, on Aug. 29, 2001, Eckl did something that most people would never fathom. His involvement was integral in the capture of a bank robber.
Eckl was sitting in the kitchen of his house next door to S & C Bank in Harris that warm summer day playing cards with his wife Rosemary and hanging out with his grandkids when the scanner nearby started squawking.
Voices came over the box and reported a robbery at the bank next door.
Eckl said he could hardly believe it when he saw someone dash out of the bank, get in a car and start to drive away.
Without taking time to even slip on some flip-flops, Eckl hopped in his truck and began calmly following the suspect vehicle.
Eckl said he tried to use his cellular phone to call Chisago County Sheriffís deputies and tell them where they were headed.
He said the man was not speeding or driving erratically and the two continued on their path until the robber finally pulled to the side of the road, possibly in an effort to see if Eckl was following him.
Eckl said he pulled right up next to the manís car.
ìWe just stared at each other for a minute,î Eckl said. ìAnd then he took off like a bat out of hell.î
Eventually, Ecklís cell phone started to work and through the dusty plume the robberís car left behind, Eckl kept up until deputies could get there to help.
About 20 minutes after the robbery, George Edward Gipson was caught.
After nearly two years, Eckl was honored for his public service by United States Attorney Thomas Heffelfinger.
Heffelfinger, who started at his post about 19 months ago said he challenged his staff when he started to find members of the general public who go above and beyond to help officers and apprehend criminals.
Eckl was the first civilian nominated for the award he received May 15 at a brief ceremony in the Harris firehall.
ìThis took so long to get to him because we couldnít do anything until the trials were over,î Heffelfinger said. ìThe appellate process only finished recently.î
Gipson was convicted of the federal crime of bank robbery in Harris and for another robbery in June 2001 at the Firstar Bank in Hugo.
Gipson was sentenced to 7 years in prison for the robberies and for violating his parole.
At the time of the Hugo and Harris heists, Gipson had been out on parole for a 1993 bank robbery for which he served 2 years.
Eckl received a personalized plaque from the U.S. Department of Justice, an award from the citizens of Chisago County from Sheriff Todd Rivard, a personal thank-you from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a $1,500 check from the Minnesota Bankerís Association.
Eckl certainly didnít expect the monetary reward and he was speechless after receiving it.
When he finally composed himself, Eckl said the money would come in handy when he takes a trip to Alaska planned for next month.
Pearl Stevenson, a representative for S & C Bank gave Eckl gift certificates to the Oak Inn and to Tanger Outlet Center as a symbol of appreciation from the bank.
ìIt was just wonderful,î Stevenson said of Ecklís chase. ìItís the kind of guy Larry is. He just did it. He didnít think twice.î
ìLarryís a good man,î said friend and fellow firefighter Tim Cropper. ìHeís just a plain good man.î
Heffelfinger said people shouldnít be afraid to pitch in and help law enforcement officers when they can.
ìNow more than ever, the public has to get involved,î Heffelfinger said. ìTerrorism prevention is based on the fact that the public will alert law enforcement.î
He said people donít have to go as far as Eckl did in their assistance to police.
ìAs little as a phone call and as much as a chase will help,î Heffelfinger said. ìThere is no justice if people donít get involved.î

Top of Page

©ECM Post Review

6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com