A.M. Williams - The Recruit

The Highway Patrol Chronicles: Book One The Recruit

A.M. Williams

Copyright 2018 A.M. Williams

All rights reserved

First Edition

Page Publishing, Inc

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc 2018

ISBN 978-1-63568-634-0 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63568-635-7 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Foreword

Law enforcement is not a career choice as most people would probably think of a career choice. Law enforcement is more of a way of life. The reason that I am telling you this is because not everyone who chooses a career in law enforcement stays in law enforcement. It takes a special person to devote their life to helping strangers. It takes a special person to leave their families every day and go out into the unknown, not understanding that the one particular shift that they are currently working could be their last. Most people do not understand the sacrifices that law enforcement officers and their families make. This book is being written to explore those unknowns and help everyone understand the intricacies of law enforcement.

I originally was not going to devote so much time to writing this book, and then as I thought about it, I decided that the best way to convey a law enforcement officers everyday life and numerous activities was to write a series of books chronicling the life of an officer. I am basing each of the books on my career with the Florida Highway Patrol. I can assure you every case in each book is based on true events. Every officer, suspect, and victim in this book is true to life. The names, however, have been changed to protect their identities.

The idea for this series of books came about after talking to friends and family. We used to sit around and tell stories of the cases we worked and the people we encountered. I was told on numerous accounts that I should write a book, and so the seed was planted. I had a computer sitting around the house and so I began toying with some ideas. The seed had been watered. As more and more ideas began to blossom, this book began to take shape.

I plan to write on each and every case I can remember working, whether its a funny story about someone I wrote a ticket or a traffic homicide that I may have worked. I must warn you that some of my tales are not for the faint of heart, but you, the reader, will come away with a real sense of what law enforcement is all about.

These books will not always be full of action or laughs; however, they will have their fair share of both. I want to thank you, the reader, for giving these books a chance. I assure you that you will not be disappointed.

I am starting from the beginning, from my first day in the academy. I wanted to do this so that you would come away with a sense of the training that we go through. There is so much talk of officers being untrained in todays world, and I wanted to convey to the reader exactly what we go through in order to get certified to enforce state and federal law. Our training does not stop with this academy. We are constantly training in firearms and various other subjects. So this book is meant to be more informative versus entertaining. This book sets the tone for the rest of the series, so please pay very close attention.

Dedication

This first book in the series is dedicated to my lovely wife, Angela, and all of my childrenSeth, Alyssa, Megan, and Rachel. I love you all and appreciate the support you have given me during this undertaking.

Also a special dedication is in order for Trooper Timothy Burtcher and Sergeant Nicholas Sottile of the Florida Highway Patrol, as well as every other officer around the world who has given their life in the defense of others.

The families of the deceased, as well as active law enforcement are also to be remembered. Their tireless dedication to the officers who serve is real and cannot be measured. It takes a special person to accept the fact that their loved ones may not come home at the end of the day.

I would like to also show my appreciation for the men and women who still serve the state of Florida. I wish that I was still serving alongside all of you. I love you all and miss your comradely.

History of the Florida Highway Patrol

The history of the Florida Highway Patrol is a long and distinguished one. As you read on, remember that this agency was born with one need in mindthat is to protect the motoring public. There was originally a great deal of argument about how to establish the agency and what organization would govern the agency. Enjoy reading about the history of this fine department.

Florida State Law Enforcement began with appointment of twelve weight inspectors, at the request of the Chairman of the Florida State Road Department, on November 23, 1931. The purpose of these twelve weight inspectors was to maintain the states roadways and enforce all laws pertaining to travel and maintenance of those roadways.

In January of 1934, the Division of Traffic Enforcement was established and E. A. Shurman was appointed as state traffic inspector. The Division of Traffic Enforcement was established for the sole purpose of enforcing traffic laws in the state of Florida. This was also the first year that Florida State Law Enforcement had official uniforms. The officers were issued military-type uniforms, which were army green in color.

In 1935, the force was increased from twelve inspectors to twenty-five and the first Law Enforcement Academy was held in Palatka, Florida. The first inspectors were issued either a motorcycle or small sedan to use in performance of their duties. Now by 1936 the force of inspectors had increased to a modest forty-five officers for the entire State of Florida. This in the grand scheme of things was only about 3 percent of todays total force.

In July of 1936, Army Major H. Neil Kirkman was appointed chief of the States Road department. In 1937, when Governor Fred P. Cone was elected to office, the State Road Department was abolished, against protest from both the American Legion and the Jaycees. In 1939, the Florida Highway Patrol was established along with the Division of State Motor Vehicle Driver Licenses. Both of these departments were managed under the newly developed State Department of Public Safety. Only sixty officers were authorized under the new legislation. Sixty officers were not nearly enough to cover the entire state of Florida.

The amount of officers and support has steadily increased throughout the years along with the amount of troops and districts. Another big change is the dispatching equipment and patrol and officers equipment.

Starting pay was originally $1,500 a year and has increased exponentially to approximately $36,000 per year with yearly cost of living increases as well as increases for certain high cost areas such as Fort Myers, Naples, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale. Officers are also allowed to supplement their annual income by working security details and other off-duty police employment opportunities.

Uniforms have changed from army green to a brown color with nice chloroform gun belts and shoes, and the firearms have changed from whatever revolvers officers could get their hands on to state-of-the-art Glock .45 caliber handguns. Officers also carry .12 gauge shotguns and military grade AR-15s.

Also added to the troopers toolbox was the addition of OC (pepper) spray and Tasers. The vehicles have come a long way as well. The Highway Patrol began with a few motorcycles and small sedans and has increased to two aircraft, Dodge Chargers, Chevrolet Tahoes, Ford Crown Victorias, and Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.

There is now a military-style ranking system in effect for officers and various different divisions of the Highway Patrol.