Eagan's First Female Police Officer Prepares for Retirement

When Detective Lori Tripp arrived for her first day of work with the on Jan. 1, 1980, she was issued a men’s uniform and a badge that read “patrolman.”

“Times were different back then,” Tripp said.

Now, 32 years later, Eagan’s first ever policewoman is retiring on May 31.

Tripp was a trailblazer in more ways than one. Not only was she the first woman in the department, she was also the first employee hired after the passage of Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, a piece of legislation passed in 1979 that required police officers to be licensed.

In the last three decades, she has worn many hats at the police department. Originally hired as a patrol officer, she also worked as a crime prevention officer, child protection investigator and a detective in property crime, white collar crime and person crime.

Tripp has received two department awards of merit, one for solving a murder case and another for co-founding the Eagan Youth Safety Camp, a summer program for elementary school students that is still active today.

However, Tripp didn’t become an officer for the accolades. She was drawn to law enforcement by a love of justice.

Among her most rewarding experiences with the Eagan Police Department is the day she arrested three felons in succession: first, a criminal ringleader, then a burglar and finally, a shooter.

“It was so much fun,” said Tripp. “It was just a gas.”

But it was her time as a child abuse investigator that shaped her most as an officer.

In 2010, Tripp arrested a pedophile by staging a controlled call from the victim, in which the victim invited the suspect over to her residence.

Tripp hid in the victim’s closet and when the suspect arrived, she recorded him propositioning the victim. Tripp then revealed herself, before arresting the suspect, who has since been convicted and imprisoned.

“She was tenacious,” said James McDonald, Eagan chief of police. “She really cared about the people.”

Now, Tripp is ready to turn in her badge.

“I think it takes a toll to deal with society’s crises all the time,” said Tripp.

Tripp leaves the Eagan Police Department drastically changed since her arrival more than 30 years ago.

When she was hired, Tripp was the only woman on the Eagan police force. The department now includes ten women officers. An eleventh will start work April 2.

“She’s a pioneer here,” said McDonald.