Oklahoma Highway Patrol

Oklahoma Highway Patrol
In 1937, 125 troopers graduated the first academy of the newly-formed Oklahoma Highway Patrol operating under the Department of Public Safety. That same year, the new state troopers met resistance from Oklahoma motorists who were not used to living within the bounds of traffic regulations when none had ever before existed. But the troopers were prepared for this as they paved the way for all future officers by exerting good manners and service to all citizens. A total of 288,277 warnings compared with only 5,518 arrests and citations were written in the first nine months of patrol. Even today, motorists will declare that troopers are well-mannered, friendly and hospitable while maintaining an unrivaled level of professionalism. With almost 800 troopers statewide today spread across thirteen Field Troops, the division has grown into several areas of special services including Public Information, Capitol Patrol, Lake Patrol, Training, Bomb Squad, Motorcycle, Tactical Teams, Special Operations, Aircraft, Audits and Fraudulent Driver License. The department revived "The Flying Squadron", a motorcycle division that utilizes Harley Davidson motorcycles. A bomb squad was organized who operate state-of-the-art equipment unparalleled in Oklahoma including two bomb trucks and robots. The east and west tactical teams continue to send their troopers through specialized training programs that elevate them to the best in the state. Special Operations, formerly Criminal Interdiction, now has troopers who each have a well-trained drug canine. The OHP's primary goal is still to reduce the number of and severity of traffic collisions on the highways of the Sooner State through the promotion of traffic safety, vigorous enforcement of traffic regulations, and administering the operation and use of motor vehicles.
Oklahoma State Flag The Oklahoma state flag honors more than 60 groups of Native Americans and their ancestors. The blue field comes from a flag carried by Choctaw soldiers during the civil war. The center shield is the battle shield of an Osage warrior. It is made of buffalo hide and decorated with eagle feathers. Two symbols of peace lie across the shield. One is the calumet, or peace pipe. The other is an olive branch. Crosses on the shield are Native American signs for stars, representing high ideals.
Oklahoma used these "DOLLAR" plates because that's all exempt plate fees cost at the time! Even though it's 2 years before the actual OHP was founded, the "possibility" it could be the type used by state law enforcement is fairly good. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1936 State Government plate as was likely used by Oklahoma Highway Commission Enforcement one year prior to the formation of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Close up view of the seal from the above plate..	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1937 State Government plate as was used by the newly-formed Oklahoma Highway Patrol Courtesy of the Mike Heldman Collection
Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	Picture courtesy of Norman Rhoades
1944 issue- Tax Exempt plate. Small version(Approx. 5.5"x8.5"). Most photographs depicting OHP patrol cars in the 1940's indicate the use of passenger plates of no particular significance, however the tax exempt plate is featured as a probability of use on some OHP vehicles at that time. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1945 issue- Tax Exempt plate. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1947 issue- Tax Exempt plate.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1949 issue- Tax Exempt plate. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1953 issue- Tax Exempt plate. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1954 issue- Tax Exempt plate. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1955 issue- Tax Exempt plate. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1956 issue- Tax Exempt plate. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1957 issue- Tax Exempt plate. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1958 issue- Tax Exempt plate. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1959 issue- Tax Exempt plate. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1960 issue- Although there is no confirmation of tax exempt plates being used on OHP cars until 1968 (except 1937 thru 1939) the tax exempt plate is featured as a probability of use on some OHP vehicles at that time. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1961 issue. Although there is no confirmation of tax exempt plates being used on OHP cars until 1968 (except 1937 thru 1939) the tax exempt plate is featured as a probability of use on some OHP vehicles at that time. Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1962 issue- Although there is no confirmation of tax exempt plates being used on OHP cars until 1968 (except 1937 thru 1939) the tax exempt plate is featured as a probability of use on some OHP vehicles at that time. Picture source: e-Bay	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1963 issue. Although there is no confirmation of tax exempt plates being used on OHP cars until 1968 (except 1937 thru 1939) the tax exempt plate is featured as a probability of use on some OHP vehicles at that time. Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1964 issue. Although there is no confirmation of tax exempt plates being used on OHP cars until 1968 (except 1937 thru 1939) the tax exempt plate is featured as a probability of use on some OHP vehicles at that time. Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1965 issue. Although there is no confirmation of tax exempt plates being used on OHP cars until 1968 (except 1937 thru 1939) the tax exempt plate is featured as a probability of use on some OHP vehicles at that time. Plate courtesy of the John Yeaw Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1966 issue. Although there is no confirmation of tax exempt plates being used on OHP cars until 1968 (except 1937 thru 1939) the tax exempt plate is featured as a probability of use on some OHP vehicles at that time. Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1967 issue. Although there is no confirmation of tax exempt plates being used on OHP cars until 1968 (except 1937 thru 1939) the tax exempt plate is featured as a probability of use on some OHP vehicles at that time.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1968 issue- No reserved number blocs for OHP	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1969 issue- No reserved number blocs for OHP	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1970 issue- No reserved number blocs for OHP	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1971 issue- No reserved number blocs for OHP	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1972 issue- No reserved number blocs for OHP* Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1973 issue made as with all previous issues at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. In late July of 1973, the prison was ravaged by rioting inmates who among other actions of destruction set fire to the facility causing upwards of 30 million dollars worth of damage. The record-breaking riot also destroyed 1.5 million Oklahoma license plates set for distribution for the 1974 issuance year. Hence the 1974 validation sticker at the bottom of this plate. Decal measures 1" x 5/8" with word EXEMPT reading vertically on left margin followed by 74 above a 5 digit serial number beginning with a TL prefix and OKLA vertically on the right margin.	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
Later 1973 issue manufactured by Metal Stamping Corporation (later named Polyvend) of Conway Arkansas. These plates were issued as a result of the prison fire in Oklahoma that Summer to handle shortages of various types of Oklahoma license plates that had been damaged in the fire. Distinctively different dies, darker shade of yellow background and a painted embossed border indicates the difference from the original home-spun 1973 version from earlier in the year. These plates would have also been validated for 1974 with a decal. Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1975 issue- Embossed painted border. No reserved number blocs for OHP	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1976 issue- Bicentennial issue. No reserved number blocs for OHP	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*1977 issue- No reserved number blocs for OHP* Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1978 issue- No reserved number blocs for OHP	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1979 issue- Version 1 with "79" embossed. No reserved number blocs for OHP Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1979 issue "79" debossed in a sticker navel Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1980 issue- First year exempt plates went to slogan. No reserved number blocs for OHP Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1981 issue- No reserved number blocs for OHP	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1982 issue- No Diamond E emblem. No reserved number blocs for OHP Plate courtesy of the Paolo Valchi Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1983 issue- No Diamond E emblem. No reserved number blocs for OHP	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1984 issue- No Diamond E emblem. No reserved number blocs for OHP Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
1985 issue- No Diamond E emblem. No reserved number blocs for OHP Plate courtesy of the Robert Ward Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
Circa 1989-Current issue- Features Osage Indian battle shield as separator. Number is Trooper's badge/radio number.	Picture courtesy of Jay Weinstein
Oklahoma Retired State Trooper personal vehicle plate SAMPLE Picture source: e-Bay
*Exempt Motorcycle Plate - 1969 issue*	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*Exempt Motorcycle Plate - 1970 issue*	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*Exempt Motorcycle Plate - 1973 issue* Plate courtesy of the G. William Whitworth Jr. Collection	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*Exempt Motorcycle Plate - 1977 issue*	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*Exempt Motorcycle Plate - 1978 issue*	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
*Exempt Motorcycle Plate - 1979 issue*	We are looking for a picture showing this type plate on duty.... *Can you help us?*
Current Issue "OK" upper center over OHP prefix followed by number over screened "OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROL" Photo by Dana Woolf and provided by Al Gaines If you can help Coop secure one of these for his private collection, please use our e-mail page to contact him.	Photo by Dana Woolf and provided by Al Gaines