Alabama State Trooper Honor Guard
The Alabama State Trooper Honor Guard became operational on May 1, 1980. The purpose
of the Honor Guard was to provide a fitting ceremony for deceased state troopers
both active duty and retired. The honor guard's services were made available for
funerals of any active duty law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty upon
the request of the officer's department head.
Prior to its inception, the idea of forming a State Trooper Honor Guard had been
discussed; however, not much was done to form one. Rifles and some other equipment
were purchased, but that was as far as the honor guard developed.
In early 1980, Captain George H. Jones, the commander of Troop F in Selma was tasked
with forming an honor guard. The first step was to write an honor guard procedural
manual. In early 1980, Captain Jones, and corporals Chuck Gibson and Karl Wade wrote
the manual and standard operating procedures. This recommendation was presented
at the next staff meeting and was accepted without change.
The next step was designing a uniform for the honor guard members which was done
by using the basic winter state trooper uniform with gold striped pants and adding
a black beret, a white ascot, citation cord and white gloves. Patent leather military
"jump " boots with white boot laces were chosen for the foot gear. A three-inch
wide patent leather pistol belt, cross draw holster, and a standard issue S &
W Model 19 nickel plated revolver completed the uniform. This uniform proposal was
presented to Major James L. Fuqua, chief of the Highway Patrol Division and was
approved without any changes.
Announcements for the State Trooper Honor Guard went out to each division of the
department and applications began arriving to fill the position. A total of fifteen
Honor Guard members were chosen from the applications thus forming the first Honor
Guard unit.
Following is the roster of the first members of the Honor Guard and their position:
- Capt. George H. Jones, Commander
- Cpl. Chuck Gibson Rifle, Team Member
- Tpr. Roy Calvin Rifle, Team Members
- Tpr. Wiley O. Jordan, Rifle Team Members
- Tpr. Fred Sides, Rifle Team Members
- Tpr. Terry Smith Rifle Team Members
- Tpr. Roy Sumja, Rifle Team Members
- Sgt. Randy Estes, Flag Bearer/Folder
- Tpr. Mike Boan, Flag Bearer/Folder
- Tpr. William Taylor, Drummer
- Tpr. Charles Powell, Trumpet
- Tpr. Gary Tucker, Trumpet
- Cpl. Benny R. Peoples, Alternate
- Cpl. Karl Wade, Alternate
Two weeks later Lt. Alvin Abbett joined the Honor Guard as a Supply Officer/alternate.
Next came the task of equipping the new Honor Guard. Uniforms were requisitioned
from the department's Supply Unit and other uniform equipment, such as boots, citation
cords, berets, etc., were ordered. Capt. Jones and Cpl. Wade donated $100.00 each
to cover the initial purchase of the berets, gloves, ascots and citation cords.
The individual team members purchased their own boots and the remaining items were
furnished by the department.
The first training session was held in the early spring of 1980 at the Training
Academy in Selma. Most members of the Honor Guard had prior military experience
and some had been members of a military Honor Guard. It was surprising how quickly
the members mastered the marching routine. At that time all training was done in
full Honor Guard uniform and this was at times very uncomfortable due to the heat
and humidity.
The first detail performed by the Honor Guard was a not a funeral, but a flag raising
ceremony on the south lawn of the Capitol. A flag was raised and three volleys were
fired. The newly formed Honor Guard performed flawlessly and several military officers
in attendance marveled at the fact that the Honor Guard had only recently been formed.
Quite a few positive comments were made regarding the Honor Guard at the end of
its first detail.
The first funeral ceremony performed by the Honor Guard was in Gadsden for Sheriff
Shelton Yates of Etowah County, a former Highway Patrolman, who died in office.
This detail was also performed without any major flaws and again, many positive
comments were made about the Honor Guard.
Today's honor guard consists of 40 arresting officers, and three reserve officers
who serve as bagpipe players.