Harry S. Truman
The diligent sheriff of Twin Peaks who stood by Agent Cooper through murder, mystery, and the Black Lodge.
Sheriff Harry S. Truman is a fictional character and supporting protagonist in the television series Twin Peaks (1990–1991) and deleted scenes from the prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992). He was created by showrunners Mark Frost and David Lynch, and portrayed by Michael Ontkean. Harry Truman served as the sheriff of Twin Peaks, Washington after his father and older brother. In 1989, he and FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper lead the investigation into the murder of high schooler Laura Palmer, uncovering several mysteries around the town pertaining both to organized crime and the supernatural.
- Role
- Sheriff of Twin Peaks
- Affiliation
- Twin Peaks Sheriff's Department
- First Appears
- Twin Peaks (1990–1991)
- Status
- Alive (as of original series); grew ill before 2017 revival
- Key Location
- Twin Peaks Sheriff's Department
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Harry S. Truman is the sheriff at the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Department. Shortly after homecoming queen Laura Palmer is murdered, FBI agent Dale Cooper comes to Twin Peaks to solve the case, and the two quickly become friends and work together closely, although Truman is initially startled by Cooper's idiosyncratic nature. Truman is secretly seeing Josie Packard, whom to their knowledge, no one knows about. When questioning Josie about her connection with Laura Palmer, Cooper suspects Truman and Josie's relationship due to his body language, which Truman confirms is true. Josie expresses her concerns about Catherine and Ben to Truman, believing that they killed her husband Andrew and that they are going to kill her next. Truman has an ongoing feud with Cooper's FBI partner Albert Rosenfield, Truman being immediately bothered by Albert's difficult behavior. In a fight between Albert and Dr. Hayward about releasing Laura Palmer's body, Truman punches Albert as he lands on Laura's body. Truman at one point takes Albert by the collar, frustrated with Albert insulting him, but is calmed down by Albert saying his motives are built on the foundation of love, placing his hand on Truman's shoulder and saying 'I love you, Sheriff Truman,' and leaving. Truman and Albert are friendly for the remainder of the show. Cooper gets shot at the end of the season 1 finale, and Albert concludes that the shooter was Josie Packard. Cooper initially hesitates to tell Truman this, but Albert pushes him to do so. Truman runs to Josie after he finds out, seeing the dead body of Thomas Eckhardt whom Josie killed, and commands Josie to put her gun down. Josie then collapses on her bed, with Truman crying in her arms, realizing that she had died. Truman starts heavily drinking in the next episode, struck with grief over Josie's death, but is reminded by Cooper of Josie's criminal past. Truman and Cooper spend the remainder of the second season hunting down Windom Earle, who kidnaps the winner of the Miss Twin Peaks contest, Annie Blackburn. Truman and Cooper track down Annie, finding the extradimensional Black Lodge where Cooper spends the season 2 finale exploring while Truman waits for him. After an entire day, Truman finds Cooper and Annie outside the Black Lodge and brings Cooper to his hotel room as Annie is brought to the hospital. Cooper wakes up the next day, and Truman is immediately startled by Cooper's demeanors, which we later learn is because Cooper's doppelgänger is the one who escaped the Black Lodge.
In Their Own Story
In the deleted scenes for Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, released as Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces, Hawk informs Truman and Andy that Bernie has come into Twin Peaks from Canada, a person who was smuggling cocaine into Twin Peaks. In another scene, receptionist Lucy tells Truman and Andy that Josie has heard a prowler outside her house, with Truman leaving Andy to watch the station. During the second season of Twin Peaks, Simon & Schuster's Pocket Books division released three official tie-in books, with Truman being mentioned in the third book, Welcome to Twin Peaks: An Access Guide to the Town. The book gives confirmation on his birth date, and places him as the 10th player in the Twin Peaks High School football team in 1968, saying he had the 'best completion record in the Tri-Country Area for two straight seasons.' Truman is also mentioned in Mark Frost's official tie-in book The Secret History of Twin Peaks. It explains that his character name had come from President Harry S. Truman, and that he was promoted to the Twin Peaks sheriff in 1981. Ontkean declined to reprise the role for the third season (2017) due to his retirement. As such, Robert Forster was brought in to play Harry's brother, Frank Truman, who returned to the sheriff's position in Twin Peaks after Harry grew ill.
Reader's Guide
Harry S. Truman is a central supporting character in Twin Peaks. He serves as the sheriff of Twin Peaks, Washington, a position he held after his father and older brother. His key relationships include his close friendship with FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, his secret romantic involvement with Josie Packard, and his initial feud-turned-friendship with FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield. Truman's defining moments include punching Albert during a fight over Laura Palmer's body, discovering Josie's death after she killed Thomas Eckhardt, and waiting outside the Black Lodge while Cooper explored it, only to find Cooper and Annie Blackburn the next day. Truman was startled by Cooper's demeanor after this, which was actually Cooper's doppelgänger. In the 2017 revival, Harry grew ill and his brother Frank Truman took over as sheriff. The character was portrayed by Michael Ontkean, who declined to return for the third season due to retirement. Casting Truman was a difficult process according to Mark Frost, with David Strathairn and Robert Forster being the first people considered to play the role, the latter playing Truman's brother in the 2017 revival series. Ontkean was cast a week before shooting. Ray Wise also auditioned for the role, but was cast as Leland Palmer instead. Truman's original name in the pilot was Daniel Steadman. The character shares his name with President Harry S. Truman, a portrait of whom can be seen in Sheriff Truman's office, and with Harry R. Truman, the colorful owner of a lodge at Spirit Lake, Washington, who was killed in the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.
Did You Know?
- Harry S. Truman shares his name with both President Harry S. Truman and Harry R. Truman, the owner of a lodge at Spirit Lake, Washington who was killed in the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.
- Truman's original name in the pilot was Daniel Steadman.
- David Strathairn and Robert Forster were the first people considered to play Sheriff Truman, with Forster later playing Truman's brother Frank in the 2017 revival.
- Ray Wise auditioned for the role of Sheriff Truman but was cast as Leland Palmer instead.
- According to the tie-in book Welcome to Twin Peaks: An Access Guide to the Town, Truman was the 10th player on the Twin Peaks High School football team in 1968 with the 'best completion record in the Tri-Country Area for two straight seasons.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Harry S. Truman in Twin Peaks?
Harry S. Truman is not a fictional character but the real 33rd President of the United States, who enters the Twin Peaks narrative as a portrait in Agent Dale Cooper's FBI office. His presence functions as a symbolic icon rather than a participant in any plotline.
Where does Harry S. Truman appear in Twin Peaks?
Truman first appears on screen in Season 1, Episode 4, depicted as a painting hanging in the FBI office where Agent Cooper works. He remains a static, watchful presence in that setting for the rest of the series.
Why is there a painting of Harry S. Truman in Cooper's office?
The portrait reinforces the show's recurring themes of presidential duty, moral resolve, and the heavy burden of leadership. It situates Cooper's investigative work within a broader American tradition of service and integrity during moments of national crisis.
Does Harry S. Truman have a storyline or arc in Twin Peaks?
No—Truman does not participate in any dialogue, plot event, or narrative development within the series. His role is purely iconographic, serving as a visual anchor that grounds the show's meditation on American identity and the weight of command.
What does the Truman portrait symbolize in Twin Peaks?
The painting evokes steadfast leadership and personal integrity in the face of chaos, mirroring the moral questions the series poses about duty and authority. It acts as a silent, watchful counterpoint to the supernatural and violent mysteries unfolding in the Pacific Northwest.