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1935-1953
Highway Patrol created
- In May 1935, then-Gov. Clyde Herring signed the law creating a 50-member patrol within the state's motor vehicle department
1st Patrolmen Sworn in July 28th, 1935
- John Hattery is first chief
- Patrolmen paid $100 per month, Chief paid $200 per month
Oran Pape killed in the line of duty
- On April 29, 1936, around 5:00 pm, Patrolman Oran “Nanny” Pape #40 was traveling on Old Highway 61 near Fairport when he stopped a car believed to have been stolen. As he approached the car, the driver, Roscoe Barton, a 23 year-old parolee from Davenport, pointed a gun at Pape and ordered him into the car. As they proceeded down the highway, Pape grabbed Roscoe and the two men struggled. Two shots went off; one striking Roscoe in the head killing him instantly. The other went into Pape’s abdomen and groin, seriously wounding him. Pape was able to stagger out of the car and hail a passing vehicle for help. He was rushed to Hershey Hospital in Muscatine where doctors tried in vain to save him. He died early the next day; the first member of the Patrol to die in the line of duty and the only officer murdered. Nanny Pape was one of the “Original 50” Iowa patrolmen.
Highway Patrol takes over Driver's License Examiner Duties
Cross-draw Holsters Introduced
Mrs. Ola Miller "Mother of the Iowa Highway Patrol" dies of pneumonia
- Mrs. Ola Babcock Miller was one of the state's most distinguished public servants. Today she is best known as "The Mother of the Iowa Highway Patrol". Her consuming passion was to reduce deaths and improve safety on the state's roads. She died of pneumonia Jan. 25, 1937.
Department of Public Safety formed
Patrol begins school bus inspections
“Courtesy, Service, Protection” becomes the Iowa Highway Patrol’s motto
The last two remaining motorcycles were retired
Each patrolman is assigned a patrol car
- A total of 60,000 miles logged from routine patrols
All patrol cars equipped with two-way radios
Patrolman John Mahnke Kidnapped
- Patrolman John Mahnke kidnapped by Burglary Trio, held for 5 hours at gunpoint, before handcuffing him to a stove in a country schoolhouse. 8 hours later Mahnke was able to set himself free, and ran to a nearby farmhouse for assistance.
S.N. Jespersen becomes Chief
State Divided into 14 Districts, expanding from the original 10
Patrol begins converting to fm radio system
Driver's license examiners added
Patrolman Harold Klinkefus is killed in a traffic accident
- Patrolman Harold Klinkefus #119 was westbound on U.S. Highway 34, four miles east of Red Oak on May 18, 1949. An eastbound car turned off onto a side road and a fully loaded semi-trailer truck had to slow to avoid the turning car in front of it. The rig jack-knifed and went out of control, crashing into the side and top of the patrol car. Klinkefus was thrown clear of the wreckage, but landed on a fence. Patrolman Harold Klinkefus died within minutes.
Patrol headquarters is moved from the Capitol to Lucas state office building
Police radio system started
Patrolman Charles Bendlage is kidnapped
- Patrolman Charles Bendlage was kidnapped and his patrol car stolen by a armed bandit who was fleeing in a stolen card from Des Moines. Bendlage was held a few minutes before being dumped out of the patrol car on Highway 2 just west of Bloomfield. A short time later, the bandit was captured by the Missouri Highway Patrol.
The number of statewide traffic fatalities is painted on patrol car trunk lids
David Herrick becomes Chief
Patrol force increases to 240 men
- Salary increased to $200 per month, working 10 hour days. No Saturdays or holidays off.
1954-1975
Unmarked cars are used for the first time
February 19, 1954 Patrolman Harold C. Degear is killed in a traffic accident
- On the night of February 19, 1954, Patrolman Harold DeGear #60 had stopped a Marion man for faulty equipment and was standing behind the violator’s car issuing a citation. A third vehicle, which was passing a truck, struck the rear of the car crushing DeGear. The violator’s car was forced over 30 feet forward. DeGear was rushed by ambulance to the hospital suffering from broken legs and extensive internal injuries. Patrolman Harold DeGear died the following day.
Patrol purchases 5 speed tapes
- First eye relay given to Patrolman Reddick
July 2, 1955 Patrolman Ralph Garthwaite killed in a traffic accident
- At 5:50 pm on July 2, 1955, Ralph Garthwaite #218 was driving his patrol car north bound toward Dunlap about two miles north of Woodbine on Highway 30 north of Council Bluffs. While crossing a 24-foot bridge, the left-front fender of his patrol car collided with that of another vehicle traveling south. The accident caused fatal injuries to Patrolman Ralph Garthwaite. The driver of the other vehicle was found to be intoxicated.
July 4, 1955 Patrol uses 11 National Guard planes for July 4th enforcement
Patrol purchases 2 Piper Super Cub airplanes for traffic control
Patrol force increased to 275 men
- Post Sergeants promoted to rank of Lieutenant as District Commander
Night time speed limits set at 60 MPH
- Two-man cars after 6:00 pm was changed to only one-man cars.
Patrol purchases five radar units
The first 10 miles of Interstate open, from Dexter to US Highway 169 and later to Newton
Patrol force increased to 300 men
Patrolmen start wearing name tags
By order of the commisioner, sixty-five patrol cars are to be other colors than black
Ted Mikesch becomes Chief
Community service officer program starts
- Patrolman Robert Glenn is the 1st CSO
Portable radar and vascar units installed in one car per district
Short-sleeve summer uniform adopted
Five additional CSO's appointed
June 11, 1965 Sgt. Marvin Vanderlinden is killed in a traffic accident
- At about 6:00 pm on Friday, June 11, 1965, Sergeant Marvin VanderLinden #46 was on his way to investigate an accident north of Sheldahl. While passing through a gravel intersection about 15 miles north of Des Moines, his patrol car was struck broadside by another vehicle. The force of the impact threw both vehicles into the ditch. The patrol car was hit on the passenger’s side which caved into the driver’s seat. The front end of the other vehicle was totally demolished. Sergeant Marvin VanderLinden and the other man were killed instantly.
Patrol force strengthened to 410 patrolmen
- Patrolmen's salary is $425 per month
October 14, 1966 Patrol responds to Belmond, IA which had been destroyed by a tornado
- On October 14, 1966 a large tornado struck the north-central Iowa town of Belmond, killing six people, injuring dozens and damaging or destroying 75 businesses and 600 homes
Howard Miller becomes Chief
- Winter blouse is no longer used except during formal occasions
Patrol cars changed to white
Mobile command post is designed
Patrol takes over Governor's security detail
Security for the Wadena Rock Festival handled by Iowa Highway Patrol
Campaign hats are issued to each patrolman, replacing brown caps
Traffic accident kits are issued for each patrol car
Driving tests are being handled by civilian examiners
Patrol's aircraft fleet includes six airplanes
"District" offices are now referred to as "posts"
The title of "Patrolman" changed to "Trooper"
Lt. Colonel James Macholz retires
- Last of the "First 50" who graduated in 1935
National speed limits set at 55 MPH
Edward Dickinson becomes Chief
Iowa Highway Patrol now known as The Iowa State Patrol
Driver's license division transferred to the Iowa Department of Transportation
Gayle Adrian, Julie Gay, and Jen Saunders were the first women hired as Troopers
Robert Thomas became the first African-American on the Patrol