Edward Daniel graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1958. He was on the football and track teams, along with being on the Freshman Forum.

Mr. Daniel joined the St. Louis Fire Department, shortly after graduation, serving as a Firefighter until 1964. He then joined the Des Peres Department of Public Safety serving the multiple roles of police officer, firefighter, and paramedic. Des Peres merged their police and fire departments in 1961. Their officers perform all three duties, often during the same shift. Mr. Daniel was promoted to Lieutenant in 1969 and to Chief of the department in 1972. He had overall responsibility for providing these essential services to a growing population.

Chief Daniel was hired as Chief of the St. Charles City Police Department in 1979, commanding a department of one hundred police officers and twenty support personnel. During his tenure there, Chief Daniel was a strong advocate for crime prevention techniques and budget controls. Some examples: After a slight increase in sex crimes, Chief Daniel held public meetings suggesting ways to avoid being victimized. He convinced the City Council to reduce juvenile curfew times and put controls on street solicitation. A frequent practice at the time was for area police agencies to auction off seized firearms to the public to raise funds. Chief Daniel refused to participate, opting instead to destroy the guns rather than chance their being used in future crimes. Note: destruction is now the preferred practice. Chief Daniel was also instrumental with the creation of the St. Charles County Law Enforcement Academy, serving as its Director.

In 1981, then Missouri Governor Christopher “Kit” Bond recognized Chief Daniel’s abilities by appointing him to be Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety. In this new position, Director Daniel oversaw many state agencies, including the Highway Patrol, Water Patrol, Fire Marshall’s office, Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole, National Guard to name a few. These agencies employed over six thousand people spread out over the entire state. Director Daniel served in this position until 1985. During this period, he dealt with budget cuts, improving a troubled Corrections department and increased the seizure and destruction of marijuana.

In 1982, Chief Daniel, with the assistance of the Missouri Police Chief’s Association, brought the Special Olympics Torch Run to Missouri. This is a national event to raise funds for the Special Olympics. While Director, Chief Daniel took career criminal “Jack the Burglar” around the state to talk about crime prevention to local groups. Jack the Burglar was serving time in prison at the time for several residential burglaries. He was a guest speaker at hundreds of seminars and conferences around the country talking about crime prevention and neighborhood policing.

The Anti-Defamation League gave Chief Daniel its First Amendment Award for his help in passing a law, in 1983, making it illegal to help para-military groups, known for committing hate crimes.

Mr. Daniel was also involved in the business world. Along with his wife and a friend, Mr. Daniel bought 35-36 struggling small businesses with the goal of returning them to profitability. He owned 18 Subway Restaurants in Missouri. They were the first franchisee in the United States to operate on a college campus, having four restaurants at Mizzou. They also opened the first restaurant at a highway truck stop off I-70 at Kingdom City. He owned the Potato Chip Company from 1979-1981. Located a block from Roosevelt, at Gravois and Louisiana, it was a favorite of many Rough Riders.

Mr. Daniel has B.A. and M.A. degrees from Webster University. He pursued a PhD as an Educational Specialist with the University of Virginia. He did consulting work with colleges to improve their adult education programs.

Mr. Daniel takes pride in the fact that he maintained a reputation for integrity and professionalism. He reported turning down an appointment by President Ronald Reagan to run FEMA, to enter the business world.

Mr. Daniel and his wife, Brenda, have four children and eight grandchildren.

As can be seen by Mr. Daniel’s many accomplishments in public service and business, he is a true Rough Rider and is a credit to the Roosevelt High School community. The Alumni Association is pleased to induct him into the Alumni Hall of Fame.