Of course, the most anxiously awaited development was the completion of the new Academy. Groundbreaking had taken place in September 1964 and, although there were delays in construction, the new facility was dedicated on September 2, 1965. Gov. James A. Rhodes presided over the ceremony, which featured Mrs. George White, widow of Gov. George White, to whom the building was dedicated. The Academy formally opened on February 18, 1966, with an open house which attracted over 5,000 visitors and graduation ceremonies for the 69th Academy Class. Later that year, standard cadet uniforms were adopted to add further dignity to the training process.

Other signs of growth were in evidence throughout Patrol operations. The process of inventory control and accountability had become a colossal task and was greatly improved by Lt. C. E. Reich who introduced the system still in use today. The new post construction effort continued at a rapid pace and by 1965, 19 of the newer, standardized posts had been completed and several more were in the bid process. Finally, activity itself was on the rise. While manpower had only increased 33 percent, officers investigated 48 percent more crashes, issued 150 percent more arrests, and undertook hundreds more speaking and educational details in 1965 than in 1955.

Colonel Chiaramonte, a graduate of the 17th Academy Class and a veteran of World War II, promised to "exert every effort to increase the stature of the Patrol and its officers to even greater heights than the present high level of recognition it enjoys."

Colonel Chiaramonte's promise was a tall order indeed. Colonels Radcliffe and Cook had labored to keep the meritorious efforts of officers in the news, making good use of the Superintendent's Citation (issuing 49 in seven years) to underscore those efforts. Among the more recent included: the rescue of a Michigan State Trooper who had been kidnapped and brought into Ohio by an honor camp escapee; the shooting of a kidnapper/car thief by Ptl. C. L. Russell after being shot in the abdomen by the suspect; and the fine relief work put in by patrolmen and auxiliary officers after a string of tornadoes struck northern Ohio.

One of Colonel Chiaramonte's first moves was a reformulation of staff officers' ranks, elevating district commanders to the rank of captain, abolishing the rank of first sergeant, and promoting 30 officers at that rank to lieutenant. Later, a fifth major was added to handle "staff operations," further enhancing attention to the expanding list of administrative demands.

Colonel Chiaramonte took the reigns at a time when the division was in the process of realigning assignments and priorities to get more officers on the road. A recently completed survey indicated that patrolling time had dropped to less than 45 percent of field officers' working time, so a "back to basics" program was launched to increase enforcement time.

Among the most welcome and time-saving moves was a review of reporting forms. As a result of the study, 46 reporting forms were completely eliminated, and others were simplified and designed so they could be completed in a car. One form modification was the uniform traffic ticket, put in use January 1, 1967, which eliminated six other forms. Other enforcement revisions, including the authorization of one-man radar operation and the placement of more non-sworn desk dispatchers, brought patrolling time up to 70 percent by the end of 1966. The following year that figure rose to 80 percent.

Other relief came in the form of legislation. In 1966, the General Assembly approved a measure requiring permanent registration of school buses. While it did add the responsibility of administrating a program for the assignment of permanent registration numbers, the law also eliminated the need to register school buses every year.

At the same time, a continuing push for increases in manpower was about to bear fruit. House Bill 20, approved November 11, 1965, authorized a uniformed manpower increase of 25 officers by July 1, 1966, and another 25 by July 1, 1967.

Although the manpower increases were a welcome boost, low pay was a continuing problem. In 1965, turnover of uniformed officers reached 8.6 percent, and in 1966 that number soared to an alarming 13.3 percent. At the same time, the turnover rate for all other classifications of Patrol employees was over 20 percent. Colonel Chiaramonte and his staff realized that securing greater pay benefits was imperative, and it was clear that employee satisfaction on other levels was equally important.

While the effort to secure higher pay progressed, other measures were introduced to make Patrol life more desirable. In 1966, the transfer and placement policy was modified to permit assignment of officers in their home areas, at their request. This overturned a policy which existed since 1933, and assisted in retaining officers as well as recruiting new ones. Educational opportunities for officers at all levels were also enhanced, providing yet another benefit to Patrol employment as well as placing career development in the hands of the individual.

In addition to career development gains, officers were afforded an additional means for recognition of overall effort with the introduction of the Patrolman of the Year award in 1966. Enacted by Colonel Chiaramonte but originally the idea of Sgt. Paul E. Wolfe, the program called for the selection of a Patrolman of the Year from each district, then the selection of one these as the statewide Patrolman of the Year. On February 7, 1967, Patrolman Billie A. Bradley, Ashland, received the distinction of being the first-ever Patrolman of the Year.

Another popular move was the adoption of short sleeve shirts for summer use (also in 1966), addressing the age-old complaint that patrolling was unbearable in hot weather. The following year, air conditioning became standard equipment in all new patrol cars.

Having been involved with the applicant screening process in the past, Colonel Chiaramonte realized that this too was critical to officer retention. He ordered the development of a revised screening process to identify candidates with qualities similar to those of officers who maintained long-term Patrol employment. The system was in place by the end of 1966.

It was also at this time that the division began hiring women for positions other than those of a secretarial or clerical nature. In July 1966, Virginia Bremer was assigned to Hebron as the first woman post dispatcher. A steady stream of female dispatchers were hired thereafter and by 1970, nearly 100 dispatcher positions were held by women. Another first came on October 20, 1968, when Emma P. Brown, Cleveland, became the first woman driver examiner.

Very special recognition was bestowed upon Ohio in 1966 when the Ohio Turnpike was entered into the U. S. Congressional Record as the world's safest highway. The outstanding safety record of the 241-mile road was recognized at ceremonies held February 8, 1966, when the Ohio Turnpike Commission formally received honors, which included a Superintendent's Citation from the Highway Patrol.

On the enforcement side, it was September 1966 when the division formed two four-car tactical squads. Assigned to areas with historically high crash frequencies, the teams were greatly successful in reducing crash rates wherever they were assigned. Cars used by the squads were white -- the first white cars ever used for enforcement duty -- marking the beginning of the end for black cars. By 1968 the division began purchasing only white cars, and by 1972, all black cars had been phased out.

Shortly after the formation of the tac squads, the division added yet another new tool to enhance speed enforcement. VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer and Recorder), a device enabling electronic speed measurement from a variety of positions and directions, was installed in 39 regular patrol cars in July 1967. Patrolmen certified as operators found the units to be highly effective; they reduced high speed pursuits and greatly lessened the difficult practice of following and "pacing" violators to determine speed. After initial success with the units, additional ones were purchased, and by 1970 there were over 150 VASCAR units in service.

Alcohol involvement in fatal crashes came under increased scrutiny with the introduction of the fatal blood analysis program in 1966. Under the program, officers obtained blood samples from drivers killed in Patrol-investigated crashes and sent them to the crime laboratory in Columbus for analysis. Statistics compiled during the first few years of the program pointed to a 50 percent involvement rate of alcohol in fatal crashes.

The breathalyzer, a vast improvement over the intoximeter, came into use in 1967. In addition to being a more precise and reliable measuring stick for intoxication, the breathalyzer enabled officers to record better evidence for prosecution. By the end of 1968, each post was equipped with a breathalyzer.

Highway safety took another giant leap when the 107th General Assembly approved House Bill 380, the so-called "Omnibus Bill." Among a number of safety-related measures in the bill was approval of a plan submitted by the division for a random motor vehicle inspection program. The program became effective January 1, 1968, and got underway the following month with the assignment of nine teams and the issuance of a number of permits to "Fleet Inspection Stations." By July 1968, 27 motor vehicle inspection teams (three per district) were in operation.

Probably the most significant advancement of the era -- one which provided immeasurable gains in the field of law enforcement -- was the approval of a grant request to the U.S. Department of Transportation for $838,000 to develop and install a completely automatic law enforcement in formation retrieval and communications system. Dubbed LEADS (Law Enforcement Automated Data System), the system became operational in 1968, providing officers with instant access to three massive computer files: Ohio vehicle registration listings; Ohio operator license and arrest records; and an "auto alert" file on stolen vehicles, parts, and license plates. Another important feature was a hookup with the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) in Washington, enabling access to the FBI's extensive criminal history file, and connection with the Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (LETS), enabling the rapid exchange of information between the 48 contiguous states. Over 200 LEADS terminals were "on-line" after the first year (including local, county, and state agencies).

In the mid-1960s, the nation began experiencing a surge in civil demonstrations, Ohio being no exception. With many such disturbances centering on the state capital, General Headquarters officers drew the dubious assignment of responding. After one such demonstration, a reporter from the Cleveland Plain Dealer referred to them as " . . . the highest ranking riot squad ever assembled by the Patrol . . . eight graying and paunchy majors, captains, lieutenants, and sergeants . . . " Refusing to take such a comment lying down, the "graying, paunchy riot squad" challenged the mostly younger State House reporters to a volleyball game at the Academy. On March 27, 1968, F-Troop (as they referred to themselves) clobbered the State House reporter team in four straight games.

Unfortunately, the rash of civil disturbances experienced during this time (63 incidents between September 1967 and May 1970) became a very serious matter. The first major confrontation occurred on November 13, 1967, when a group of Central State University students rioted in protest of the dismissal of a student who threatened the university president's life. Thirty-three Patrol officers received injuries during the push to quell the riot, marking the first time a number of officers were injured in this type of action.

In an incident possibly related to the CSU disorder, shots were fired at the Xenia post by an unknown subject on October 7, 1968. Disp. Janet M. Thompson, while preparing to go off duty, was struck in the head by bullet fragments. She was immediately relayed to a local hospital for treatment where she quickly recovered. No suspects were ever arrested in the incident.

In addition to campus disorders, several prison riots erupted in 1968, including a major siege at the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus, and smaller ones at London and Lebanon.

The growing frequency of civil disturbances led to the purchase of a special "command post" vehicle in June 1968. The command post consisted of an armored tractor and semi trailer outfit equipped with communications systems, riot equipment, and a command center. At about the same time, officers were issued chemical mace (still a standard issue), and a limited number of riot helmets were acquired. In addition, black utility uniforms (jump suits) were obtained in May 1969 for disturbance duty. Following the Ohio State University and Kent State University riots, the General Assembly approved a request for over $2 million to equip the division with proper civil disturbance gear.

Though campus uprisings seemed to dominate Patrol activities in 1969 and 1970, enforcement efforts were continually being refined to enhance more "conventional" callings. One such effort was the adoption of "stationary patrols" which required officers to stop in highly visible positions, such as crossovers on highways, for at least 10 minutes out of each hour of patrol time. This represented a new twist on a highly successful technique employed by Colonel Black which greatly reduced crashes among vehicles going to and from Ohio State football games. The very sight of an officer was found to have a major effect on the habits of motorists, serving as a reminder to obey traffic laws and a warning that dangerous and unlawful driving was likely to be detected.

Another successful effort was the adoption of "line patrols." The technique was much like that employed by the "tac squads," with officers assigned to Patrol specific stretches of highways known to have a high incident of crashes. The deter rent effect of the line patrols was similar to that of stationary patrol -- the mere sight of an officer reduced hazardous driving.

Key to the success of these efforts was a growing number of sworn officers. In 1968, the General Assembly removed the limitation on the number of uniformed officers. Rather than a maximum number of officers, a minimum was established (880 plus Turnpike officers), and future manpower increases would be a matter of budget appropriations. The first such budget request came in 1970, when Colonel Chiaramonte personally went to the State Emergency Board to request funding for 100 additional officers. Prompted by campus disorders, the request was quickly approved.

Officer turnover remained a subject of great concern as well. The rate had dropped from its peak of 13.3 per cent in 1966 to 6.5 percent in 1968, but jumped the following year to over 10 percent. A pay raise proved very helpful in lowering that figure to an astounding 3.4 percent in 1972, but equally important were additional measures taken by Col. Chiaramonte to improve personnel relations.

One such measure was the Superintendent's Letter, introduced in February 1970. The Superintendent's Letter provided a direct avenue for the administration to provide field troops information regarding decision-making and the philosophies which governed them. The following year, that information flow became "two-way" with the establishment of a "suggestion box" which enabled officers to submit recommendations -- even controversial ones -- outside of the chain of command. Along with these, Colonel Chiaramonte instituted monthly meetings with rank-and-file representatives from each district and a ride-along program in which staff officers rode patrol with regular officers.

The meetings and ridealongs were also very helpful in fostering greater understanding between administrative and field officers.

Prior to these innovations, changes in the rank structure made longer-term Patrol employment more desirable. The rank of corporal was eliminated in 1969, with all officers at that rank elevated to sergeant. Two months later, 57 post commanders at the rank of sergeant were promoted to lieutenant. Officers holding the rank of lieutenant at the time of these changes were designated as staff lieutenants.

Though the Academy was barely five years old, the division was already beginning to outgrow its new facility. Several factors were involved: the push to field new officers at a rapid pace precipitated the running of continuous (and sometimes overlapping) Academy Classes; Basic Peace Officer Classes, 160 hours long when started in 1968, were expanded to 400 hours; and in-service training demands, among them expanded civil disturbance training, increased greatly in scope and attendance. Add to these Youth Week (later Jr. Cadet Week), in which candidates selected from Buckeye Boys (and later Girls) State receive a week of mock training, and other special demands, and the result was cramped and often insufficient space. In 1971, the division sought and received a federal grant to add a new 100-person dormitory. The addition was completed on February 14, 1972.

A potentially dangerous kidnapping of a patrolman occurred on May 8, 1971, when Ptl. J. C. Whitt, Portsmouth, responded to a report of a reckless driver in northern Pike County. Whitt spotted the vehicle stopped on a curve on State Highway 335 and, as he approached, the car moved out of view. As he prepared to get out of his cruiser, a subject appeared from behind the vehicle holding a shotgun on him. The suspect disarmed Whitt, forced him back into the Patrol car, then, while holding a revolver to his head, ordered him to drive south.

Ptl. W. E. Nibert, responding shortly after Whitt, assessed the situation and carefully followed at a distance. Whitt spotted Nibert and, when the suspect's attention was diverted, released the steering wheel, whirled around, and grabbed the man's revolver. As the two struggled, the patrol car came to rest on an embankment. The patrolmen then subdued the suspect, who was subsequently arrested and charged with kidnapping and abduction.

On May 20, 1971, the Attorney General's office requested a Patrol investigation of conditions and alleged wrong-doings at Lima State Hospital. Four Patrol officers initiated the investigation the following day, and by the end of the nine-week investigation, over 20 Patrol officers were involved. A total of 115 incidents were investigated, resulting in 40 indictments by the Grand Jury.

A new award, the Certificate of Recognition, was instituted by Colonel Chiaramonte in 1971. Originated to cite officers for exemplary performance of regular duty, the first was awarded in January 1971 to Ptl. R. A. Hilston for per forming lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a crash victim.

Alarming increases in auto thefts prompted another award program. The Blue Max, an incentive award designed to recognize individual effort in the area of auto larceny enforcement, was launched by Colonel Chiaramonte in 1972.

The idea for the Blue Max came to Col. Chiaramonte in the middle of the night as he pondered two separate problems. Not only were epidemic proportions of auto theft on his mind, there was also a problem getting officers (especially the older ones) to routinely use the LEADS system during traffic stops. Under Blue Max, registrations of vehicles involved in traffic stops were entered into LEADS by a dispatcher to determine if the car was stolen, and at the same time, the LEADS system notified users if the offender was wanted or under warrant.

The Blue Max award, a distinctive medal and certificate, would be given to the officer attaining the most stolen vehicles with on-the-spot apprehension of suspects in one year. For each such recovery, the officer received a lightning bolt decal to place on his patrol car door to signify the accomplishment. To encourage total participation, Capt. D. M. Carey suggested that another auto larceny enforcement award be initiated which would be in the reach of any number of officers (as opposed to just one Blue Max award per year.) As a result, the ACE award, given to any officer recovering five stolen vehicles with on-the-spot apprehensions during a calendar year (and therefore receiving five "bolts"), became an integral part of the Blue Max program.

The first ACE was earned by Ptl. R. A. Daberko, Chardon, who got his fifth bolt during the 1972 Labor Day weekend. The first Blue Max was awarded to two officers -- Ptl. J. E. Spitler and Ptl. R. P. Wells -- who each earned seven bolts in the abbreviated first year of the program. In later years, only one officer would receive the award per year. In the event of a tie, the officer obtaining his final bolt first would be the winner.

A later addition to the Blue Max program was the Superintendent's Certificate of Proficiency. Given to officers recovering 10 or more stolen vehicles without apprehensions of suspects, the first recipient was Ptl. D. H. Plunkett, Toledo, in August 1974.

Speed enforcement took another giant stride during this time with the introduction of the MR-7 moving radar. With the MR-7, officers were (for the first time) able to obtain accurate readings of motorists' speeds while the patrol car was moving on the highway -- even while moving in the opposite direction of a violator on a divided highway. The first MR-7s were placed into service in November 1972.

Other improvements during this time enabled officers to devote more time to enforcement duties. The addition of the Roll-a-Tape, a device capable of quickly and accurately measuring critical distances for crash reports, is an example of a small but meaningful advance. Another was the creation of the OH-1 uniform crash report, which simplified the report process by removing some of the ambiguities of the previous crash report. The centralization of all photo processing (to general headquarters) in 1971 also had the effect of freeing additional officers for enforcement and investigatory work.

Legislation passed at this time would also have a significant impact on operations. In December 1971, passage of Senate Bill 14 tightened OMVI (Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated) laws, lowering the presumptive blood- alcohol level from .15 percent to .10.

This legislation came as the division was completing its first year of a renewed effort to rid the highways of impaired drivers. The drive began in earnest in early 1971, and resulted in a 46.5 percent increase in OMVI arrests for that year. Shortly after, the division began placing videotape recording equipment in posts to record the actions of OMVI suspects.

Another important piece of legislation was House Bill 600, which authorized the governor to commit State Highway Patrol officers to aid local authorities in civil disturbances at the request of a mayor or sheriff. The second legislation in Patrol history authorizing action off the highway system (the first was the Farm Crimes law in 1938), the new law became effective March 3, 1972. The first use of this power would come three years later.

Retirees' benefits were also improved during this time with the passage of House Bill 910 on March 23, 1972. Among the provisions of the new law was a deferred pension allowing officers to retire after 20 years of service and begin receiving a pension at the age of 52. Survivor benefits for widows also improved, with an almost 50 percent in crease in benefit payments and the removal of the limit on the number of children eligible for consideration. Retired Captain Homer Hall is credited for providing invaluable assistance in gaining legislative support for the bill.

Several changes in the area of personnel awaited the division as it entered 1973, its 40th year. Dispatcher Judy Gahm, London, was promoted to the rank of communications technician, becoming the first woman to hold that rank and wear the Highway Patrol gray. It was also in 1973 when the division was assigned an attorney -- Mr. Richard M. Huhn -- the first attorney ever assigned exclusively to the Highway Patrol. Also of note was the implementation of monetary compensation for court attendance. Communications capabilities were also substantially upgraded in 1973. Forty-six new, four frequency, low band base stations were installed around the state, allowing districts and posts to use primary frequencies different than those of adjoining districts. This greatly reduced frequency overloading, a problem which grew as radio traffic in creased. Mobile Radio Extension systems (MREs) were also obtained that year, enabling officers to maintain communications with their posts and other patrol cars while out of their cars. Worn on the belt, the portable MRE provided instant communications capabilities and marked another major advance in officer safety. Other improvements included the installation of radio scanner receivers in all Patrol posts, and citizens band (CB) radios in 48 posts.

In addition to communications systems upgrades, LEADS capabilities were also enhanced. The Automated Law Enforcement Communications System (ALECS), a regional network for instant data exchange between eight states, was placed into operation in early 1973. Formed largely through the effort of the Ohio Patrol, ALECS enabled LEADS terminals to query over 73 million computer records.

It was also 1973 when patrol cars were equipped with fuel transfer units. In the first year of the program, 6,687 gallons of gasoline were transferred to disabled vehicles to enable drivers to reach a place where they could replenish their supply. Motorists receiving fuel transfers were provided an envelope to voluntarily mail reimbursements for gasoline received, and during that first year, reimbursements more than covered the cost of fuel dispensed.

Being the 40th Anniversary year, a number of events were held during 1973 to honor those associated with the development of the division. In observance of the division's proud heritage, a comprehensive, 93-page Patrol history book was compiled and written by Lt. Tom E. Wheeler. The first such effort, the 40th Anniversary History Book served as an important resource for later efforts, including this compilation. Also in observance of the anniversary, the Hamilton Post was dedicated to the memory of Colonel Lynn Black, and the Circleville Post to Colonel Fred Moritz. The anniversary year was capped in November when members of the division gathered at the Neil House Hotel in Columbus to mark the 40th Anniversary with a gala ball.

During December 1973, a series of trucker blockades, and later a truck shut-down strike, mainly in protest of rising fuel and other trucker-related costs, required the special attention of the Patrol. The blockades, which ran for about four days, employed two tactics: slow-speed blockades in which truckers impeded traffic by slowly driving side-by-side on multi-lane highways; and stationary blockades in which truckers stopped their rigs in traffic lanes and highway shoulders. The blockades were broken up by the Patrol, often with the aid of National Guard wreckers and appropriate arrest action.

After the blockades were broken, some rather militant truckers began calling for a nationwide truck shutdown. Aside from traffic disruption, the shut down resulted in violence as strikers sought to stop those truckers still operating. These activities included directing drivers into truck stops and forcing them to stay there, blocking fuel pumps, forcing trucks off the freeway with other vehicles, and shooting at or throwing rocks at trucks moving on the highway. In addition to vandalism occurring at truck stops, two Highway Patrol weigh stations were damaged by gunshots. Patrol units worked nearly 4,000 hours of overtime breaking roadblocks, escorting truckers, and investigating incidents. Though most of the strike action subsided before Christmas, many officers did not return to normal duty until February 1974.

Violence of another sort occurred on January 7, 1974, when two inmates of the Junction City Treatment Center took three female hostages at knifepoint and demanded an escape car. A contingent of 28 officers under the command of Major Adam G. Reiss converged on the scene, and after several tense hours, stormed the barricaded room and rescued the hostages unharmed. During the assault, one of the inmates was killed and the other injured as they attacked Patrol officers. Four days later, Colonel Chiaramonte awarded Superintendent's Citations of Merit to the 29 officers -- the largest number of citations awarded for one incident in the history of the division.

Another incident occurring at this time was one of the most tragic and unforgettable natural disasters ever to strike Ohio. On April 3, 1974, a series of tornadoes struck the southwest quadrant of the state, cutting a wide path of destruction in its wake. The most severely affected area was Xenia, where 50 percent of the town was devastated, 29 people were killed, and 150 people injured. Thirty Patrol officers and the mobile command vehicle were dispatched to the area to help Wilmington district troops in disaster assistance and traffic control. So extensive was the damage in the area, the Wilmington district did not return to normal operation for over two weeks.

In late 1974, the division's organizational structure was again altered. The number of bureaus was reduced to two and a new position was added -- deputy superintendent in charge of field operations -- placing a broader base of control upon the administration. Major Adam G. Reiss was elevated to lieutenant colonel to fill the new position.

Colonel Chiaramonte's tenure as superintendent drew to a close when he retired on April 5, 1975. Though not required to do so by law, Colonel Chiaramonte chose to honor the mandatory retirement age of 55 years imposed on Patrol officers of all other ranks.

Colonel Chiaramonte's successor was Lt. Colonel Frank R. Blackstone, Chiaramonte's assistant superintendent. A graduate of the "Fighting 19th" Academy Class, Colonel Blackstone served at Lima and Findlay before transferring to general headquarters in 1949. While assigned to headquarters, Colonel Blackstone progressed through the ranks in the Procurement and Auditing section, and later served as commander of the Bureau of Technical Services. The new colonel selected Major Earl H. Reich to succeed him as assistant superintendent and promoted him to lieutenant colonel on April 7, 1975.

One of Colonel Blackstone's first concerns was a problem which plagued much of the world in the mid-to-late 1970s -- the energy shortage. The crisis hit the division in two ways -- decreased fuel supplies and increased costs. The problems were minimized by the implementation of stringent economic measures such as longer periods of stationary patrol and not running Patrol car engines whenever possible.

To add to the problems created by the energy shortage, the division saw its budget cut in 1975, causing reductions in available manpower. At the same time, a permanent 55 mph speed limit was enacted and strict enforcement mandated. However, the administrative policy of keeping personnel informed of legislated budget restrictions led to a highly successful effort which resulted in an eight percent reduction in rural fatalities (in 1975), and Ohio's lowest fatality rate in 15 years. Instrumental in this effort was the voluntary donation of over 42,000 hours of overtime by road officers. This selfless act resulted in a direct savings of $324,000 at a time when operations might have been severely hampered by budget shortfalls.

As if budget reductions and fuel costs weren't enough, a state pay bill passed in mid-1975 actually reduced entry-level salaries for Highway Patrol officers. News of the pay cut set off substantial outcry in newspapers across the state, many pointing to the dedication of officers who (at that time) were donating countless hours of their time to offset budget reductions. After months of negotiations, the "patrolman" classification of the state pay scale was elevated one step, resulting in no pay cut by the time the pay bill was enacted.

The manpower figure, which hit an all-time high in December 1973 (1,374 officers), also fell victim to budget woes as cadet training was halted and normal attrition began to wear away at the ranks. Though the division had just established its first permanent Recruitment section in 1974, no Academy Classes were commenced during the 20 month period after the graduation of the 99th Academy Class (February 7, 1975). Budget tightening would make Colonel Blackstone the only superintendent not to have an Academy Class in training during his tenure.

Shortly after the retirement of Colonel Chiaramonte, there was another retirement worthy of special mention. Louise Buechner, know affectionately by the Patrol family as "Miss B", retired as secretary to the superintendent on May 30, 1975, after 41 years of Patrol service and 45 years of state service. "Miss B" had been secretary for all seven superintendents starting with Colonel Lynn Black.

Though the era of campus demonstrations and disorders had pretty well come to a close, Colonel Blackstone too saw the need to assemble large units of officers for emergency duty.

Twenty-one inmates of the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility attempted a mass breakout on May 18, 1975, following several days of picketing by security personnel over a labor dispute. Three inmates succeeded in getting over the fence and into a nearby woods, while the other 18 were captured prior to clearing the outer fence. The following morning, one of the escapees was shot and killed by Scioto County Sheriff's Deputies. Several hours later, Patrol officers from the Columbus and Wilmington districts located the other two and arrested them without incident.

Officers were called out in force again three months later in a previously unprecedented action. On the evening of August 13, 1975, the Mayor of Elyria requested Gov. James A. Rhodes assign the Patrol to assist local authorities in providing police protection to the city of Elyria. The request followed two nights of rioting that occurred as the result of a young burglary suspect being shot to death while fleeing local police. Shortly before midnight, Gov. Rhodes signed a proclamation ordering the division into the embattled city. Within a very short time, 105 officers under the command of Lt. Colonel A. G. Reiss and Captain J. W. Smith (Massillon District commander) were on the scene.

The action represented the first time a governor utilized the emergency authority of the Patrol granted in HB 600 (1972) to aid a local government in maintaining law and order. Officers remained in the city until 3:00 A.M., August 16, when the situation was declared normal. A total of 4,644 man-hours involving 148 officers were involved in the action . Residents and local officials offered many favorable comments about the dedication and demeanor of Patrol officers during the ordeal.

A rare emergency response into another state resulted in critical injury to a patrolman in March 1976, when Ptl. B. D. Wallace, Gallipolis, crossed the Ohio River to aid an officer at the Mason County (West Virginia) jail. Ptl. Wallace, who was on reserve duty at the time, responded to the scene with several West Virginia troopers after a man forced his way into the cellblock at gunpoint. As officers entered, the suspect detonated a suitcase full of dynamite, killing four people and critically injuring Ptl. Wallace. Though he lost a leg just below the knee, he returned to duty seven weeks later.

The power of the superintendent to transfer officers and impose grooming standards was confirmed in two separate court rulings handed down in mid-1976.

The first decision concerned a suit filed by two officers who had been disciplined for failure to meet grooming standards (specifically hair and sideburn length). As the challenge worked its way through Ohio courts, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled (in an unrelated case) that grooming standards set by police administrators were not unconstitutional. This decision prompted a similar one in Ohio.

Another decision resolved two separate but conflicting sections of the Ohio Revised code: one granting authority to the superintendent to administer transfers of officers, and another written in the civil service code giving government employees the right to refuse such transfers. The question rose all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court, where it was ruled that though the two sections of law were irreconcilably in conflict, the General Assembly had expressly conferred the right of transfer to the superintendent rather than placing it under civil service rules.

After a three-year pause in the applicant process, Colonel Blackstone instructed district commanders to begin accepting applications for the 100th Academy Class. At a commanders meeting held at the Academy on June 17, 1976, he announced new basic requirements developed and validated over the previous two years. Among the changes included the weight requirement (must be in proportion to height instead of a flat 165 lbs.), a slightly liberalized vision standard, and the elimination of the requirement that applicants be male. It was also announced that physical agility tests would become part of the screening process to better assure applicant suitability.

Another major policy change occurring at this time was the separation of licensed radio technicians from regular communications officers. Dispatchers were hired to remove these technicians from desk duty, enabling them to devote their time to equipment maintenance and radio installations. The process of establishing "tech teams" at districts was completed within a year, with each district having a complement of five trained radio technicians.

The Auxiliary program saw a few tense moments in mid-1976 when the company providing liability insurance to officers announced it would discontinue the service. As administrative officers searched for another carrier, it became apparent that many companies were reluctant to offer such coverage, and the lowest bid received represented a cost increase of over 400 percent. In the end, nearly 70 percent of the auxiliary force chose to purchase the new insurance and maintain "active" status.

The end of Colonel Blackstone's tenure as superintendent came rather unexpectedly when he announced his retirement effective July 3, 1976.

Colonel Reiss selected Major Chester C. Hayth, a graduate of the 24th Academy Class, as his assistant superintendent. Lt. Colonel Earl H. Reich, the previous assistant superintendent (and future director of the Department of Highway Safety), retired shortly before Colonel Blackstone. Colonel Reiss moved quickly to reorganize his staff, reinstating the five-bureau setup, eliminating one lieutenant colonel position, and promoting three officers to major.

Two projects initiated under Colonel Blackstone were completed during the first months of Colonel Reiss's superintendency.

The effort to supply field officers with soft body armor (bullet proof vests) was finalized with the issuance of this equipment during the first week of July 1976. The 1,300 vests were purchased at a cost of $63,575 following nine months of extensive research and testing. Those original vests did not carry the later requirement that they be worn all the time -- at that early date the decision whether or not to wear a bulletproof vest was left to each individual officer.

Another policy change took effect the same month allowing officers the choice of carrying their service revolver on the left, rather than on the right side. Thirty-five officers were enrolled to receive refresher training and prove their ability to meet shooting standards with their left hands. All 35 qualified for the modification, and upon arrival of recently purchased left-handed holsters, became the first group of Highway Patrol officers permitted to shoot left-handed. Future Academy schools would offer recruits the same option, allowing them to qualify with either hand during training.

October 13, 1976, marked a historic occasion as Colonel Reiss welcomed 94 cadets to the opening of the 100th Academy Class. Included among the candidates were two women -- Diane L. Harris and Carol E. Ossman -- representing the first women ever to enter the prestigious Academy. With the female recruits, the designation "trooper" was adopted to replace "patrolman," which had been the designation since 1933. With the 100th Academy Class, the division would enter its 45th year with a very different look than in years gone by. Maintaining an all-male force, begun by Colonel Black who rejected the first female applicant in 1933, no longer made sense as women began moving into less "traditional" roles in society. Though only a beginning, the Ohio State Highway Patrol was well on its way to becoming an organization which more closely resembled the public it serves.

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