NC Highway Patrol Retirees Association
History of the North Carolina Highway Patrol
For information on Patrol Vehicles, Badges and Patches, click on the gray pages on the left.
Captain C. D. Farmer 1929-1937
First Commander of the NC Hwy Patrol
First Commander of the NC Hwy Patrol
Major Arthur Fulk 1937-1938
Major J. T. Armstrong 1938-1945
Colonel H. J. Hatcher 1945-1949
Colonel C. R. Tolar 1949-1950
Colonel J. R. Smith 1950-1952 / 1953-1960
Colonel W. B. Lentz 1952-1953
Colonel D. T. Lambert 1960-1966
Colonel C. A. Speed 1966-1969
Colonel E. C. Guy 1969-1973
Colonel E. W. Jones 1973-1977
Colonel J. T. Jenkins 1977-1983
Colonel D. L. Matthews 1983-1985
Colonel J. F. Cardwell 1985-1989
Colonel W. D. Teems 1989-1991
Colonel W. A. Ballard 1991-1992
Colonel S. L. Jennings 1992-1993
Colonel R. A. Barefoot 1993-1995
Colonel E. W. Horton 1995-1998
Colonel R. W. Holden 1998-2004
Colonel W. F. Clay 2004-2008
Colonel W. J. Wilson, Jr. 2008-July 31, 2009
Colonel W. R. Glover August 1, 2009 - September 1, 2010
Colonel M. W. Gilchrist November 1, 2010 - 2012
Colonel W. J. Gray 2013 - 2017
Picture Not Available
Colonel G. M.McNeill 2017-2021
Colonel F. L. Johnson, Jr 2021-
In 1921, 150,558 motor vehicles were registered in North Carolina. By 1929, the number of registered vehicles increased to 503,590. As the number of vehicles increased, so did the number of people killed in traffic accidents: 690 ideaths in 1929. Traffic control was of such concern that in 1929 the General Assembly passed an act authorizing the establishment of a State Highway Patrol. The new organization was given statutory responsibility to patrol the highways of the state, enforce the motor vehicle laws, and assist the motoring public. The organization was designed as a division of the State Highway Commission. The Highway Commission initially sent ten men (later designated as a captain and nine lieutenants) to Pennsylvania to attend the training school of the Pennsylvania State Police. Their mission was to study law, first aid, light adjustments, vehicle operation, and related subjects for use in North Carolina's first Patrol School. An office was established in Raleigh to serve as state headquarters, and a district office was established in each of the nine highway districts. A lieutenant and three patrolmen were assigned to each district. All patrolmen were issued Harley Davidson motorcycles and the lieutenants drove Model A Ford Coupes. The Patrol commander was issued a Buick automobile.
Trp. George I THompson was the first Trooper killed in the line of duty. He wrecked en route to his first duty station.
When the Patrol was started in 1929 this patch was worn on shirts, but only for two years until 1931. The same design patch was worn on coats, but had a rounded shape.
Changes and Growth
In 1931, the General Assembly increased the Patrol to 67 members and reduced the number of lieutenants to six. The Patrol was increased in size in 1933 to 121 members. Patrolmen were relieved of gasoline inspection duties and given responsibilities for issuing driver licenses and enforcing the new driver license laws. All patrolmen were assigned individual vehicles in 1937, and during the same year the legislature authorized a statewide radio system for the purpose of coordinating operations and improving the efficiency of the Highway Patrol. Numerous executive, legislative, and administrative changes have occurred since the Patrol's creation. The duties and responsibilities have varied, different ranks have been designated, and the organizational structure has been modified to improve efficiency. The Patrol, a semi-military organization, currently consists of five sections, each having specific duties and responsibilities. These sections are: Administrative Services; Technical Support Unit; Office of Professional Standards; Training; and Field Operations, the enforcement arm of the Patrol.
Going through some of the Basic School records, it would appear that the Patrol has had two members serving in uniform that never received any form of basic training. Vic Aldridge served more than twenty years, reaching the rank of Lieutenant before retiring and taking over the Alcohol Beverage Commission. Harold Minges served as a Patrolman, leaving before retirement and became a successful soft drink executive. Both men were given their appointments through a gubernatorial process. If you have information concerning any other member that did not attend Basic School please let us know.
In the early years of the Patrol the work week was six days on and one off. The day off was during the week, Monday-Thursday. Troopers were lucky to get a weekend off every eight to ten weeks. In October 1960, Commissioner Ed Scheidt reduced the work schedule to five days a week, eight hours per day. As many of you can testify, most District Sergeants did not adhere to these changes for a many years. In fact, the eight hour work shift was not realized until the Federal Fair Labor Standards was enacted. Troopers now get more weekends off.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol is identified through a distinctive shoulder patch.
In 1971, the Department of Motor Vehicles adopted a shoulder patch similar to the Patrol. Colonel Guy asked Major Jones, C&L Director, to come up with a new design for the Highway Patrol. Major Jones asked a young Sergeant to work on the project and come up with a new design. Less than an hour later, the Sergeant took the new patch design to Major Jones and submitted it for approval. Within days, the new patch was approved and has been worn by members since 1972. The one who designed the new patch was Sergeant A. R. Cope.
