DIVISION OF FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
50TH ANNIVERSARY ORAL HISTORY PROJECT
Interview with
CAPTAIN RUSSELL B. GARRIS
Employed with FHP
Interviewed by
January 9, 1950
James Roddenberry
Date Interviewed
March 7, 1989
Good morning!
Highway Patrol
I am Jim Roddenberry and
Headquarters which
Building in Tallahassee,
and
it's
Tuesday.
interview
is
history
today
of
This
this
conjunction
Anniversary
of
serving
specialist.
purpose
I
this
Florida.
have
located
the
pleasure
former
troop
in
the
Patrol
person
the
year
is
is
for
in
of
as
the
in
the
Florida
the Neil
Kirkman
is
March 7,
conducting
commander,
Captain
Patrol's
and
in
Today's date
a
interview
with
is
I'm
a
an
retired,
B.
FHP Oral
observance
conjunction with
who
review
Garris.
History
of
oral
and
management
Russell
1989,
Project
it's
the
The
50th
in
Year
University
of
Florida's Oral History Program.
JR:
Captain Garris,
we are
time
today
your
involvement
bear
out
with
this.
getting
to
up
to
that
are
you
days, your
date
to
where
this
have
going
background
delighted
in
significance
We
your boyhood
on
participate
the
some
just
of
to
on
what
asking you when were you born?
1
are
had
is
start
parents'
you'll
program.
already
you,
you
that
the
back
in
names
and
think
will
being
out
now.
I
your
take
the
that
certainly
accomplished
interview
by
early
days,
bring you
right
Let's
start
with
RG:
I was born in Daytona Beach in 1927 May the 22nd.
JR:
In Daytona Beach, Florida?
RG:
Yes
JR:
And your parents' names?
RG:
My mother's name was Evelyn and my
father's
name was Phil,
Phillip.
JR:
Are
they
originally
from
the
Daytona
Beach
area
or where
did they come from?
RG:
My father was from Southern Illinois and my mother was from
Southern Georgia.
JR:
You have brothers and sisters?
RG:
I have one half-sister that's in New Jersey at this time.
JR:
And what is her name?
RG:
Mary Belle McAlpine.
JR:
Where did you spend your boyhood days?
2
RG:
Actually, more or
less,
in Ormond Beach, Florida, which is
in connection with Daytona Beach.
JR:
Did you go to school in that area?
RG:
I went
high
to
elementary school
school
at
Seabreeze
in
High
Ormond Beach,
School
in
Florida,
Daytona
and
Beach,
Florida.
JR:
Let
me
back
up
just
a
minute.
What
was
your
Dad's
occupation?
RG:
At
the
time
of
my
birth,
he
was
a
policeman
in
Daytona
Beach.
JR:
Did he serve there many years?
RG:
Not too long, ah, he and my mother were divorced when I was
about
three years old and
I had a stepfather from the time
I was six years old.
JR:
Is he alive today?
RG:
Neither one of them.
In
fact, none of the
at this time.
3
three are alive
JR:
All deceased?
RG:
Yes.
JR:
You went to elementary school where?
RG:
In
Ormond
Beach
at
the
Ormond
Beach
Elementary
School
on
the mainland side.
JR:
And then from there, you went to high school?
RG:
In Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida.
JR:
You graduated from there?
RG:
Yes,
and
upon
graduation,
I
went
right
into
the
United
States Navy and boot camp in Bainbridge, Maryland.
JR:
How long were you
RG:
Well,
only
actually,
in
13
in the Navy, Captain Garris?
it
months
was
and
near
the
then
end
of
the
I was mustered
war
out.
and
I
I went
was
in
in 1945 and came out in 1946.
JR:
Did
you
serve
overseas
or
this time?
4
were
you
in
the
states
during
RG:
No,
I
went
missed
to
Cove
Key West,
Springs
Jacksonville
JR:
going
Okay
sir.
what
age
overseas
Florida,
and
by
and
then
I
one
name
then
was
on
one
from Key
list
West
mustered
and
I
to Green
out
at
the
Naval Air Station.
Following
were
you
your
when
discharge
you
were
from
the
service,
discharged
at
from
the
service?
RG:
I went in
JR:
Okay
when
sir,
I was 18 and got out when
what
did
you
for
Ocala,
do
after
you
I was 19.
were
discharged
from
the service?
RG:
I
went
for
the
to
work
Florida
State Theaters.
the Marion Theater
in
Ocala
I
at
was
the
Marion
assistant
Ocala.
JR:
What year are we
RG:
1946,
latter
JR:
Okay,
you worked for the
part
in
talking
about,
Captain Garris?
of "46.
theater
5
for how long?
Theater
manager
at
RG:
to Daytona, rather Ormond
a year, then I went back
Probably
worked
for
the
Elinor
Village
their
of
most
completed
construction,
ocean
the
on
it was
already
had
They
area.
construction
in
person
maintenance
a
as
Village
Elinor
and
front in Ormond.
JR:
Did you attend college?
RG:
After
year and
to
went
I
that
University
Stetson
I was married and
then
had
I
go
to
DeLand
in
and
out
for
a
go
to
work, so I quit college.
JR:
What were you majoring in while you were in college?
RG:
I had thought,
JR:
Alright,
just business administration to start with.
you
after
left
you
did
where
college,
go
from
there?
RG:
I
think
Ocala,
then
I
I got
then
went
a
little
Ocala
from
on
the
backwards,
back
Highway
to
I
then
Ormond,
Patrol
college
from
went
when
I
from
to
Ormond
with
the
worked,
one
was
Elinor Village Co.
JR:
What age were you when you went on the Patrol?
RG:
I was
23,
so
about
two
or
three
years
that
year at Ocala and about two years in Ormond.
6
I
JR:
And
you
were
-in
Ormond
Beach
at
the
time
you
made
application with the Patrol?
RG:
Yes.
JR:
What
possessed
you
to
Florida Highway Patrol,
RG:
Well,
was
actually,
a
page
at
in
to
become
a
member
of
the
Captain Garris?
an
the
want
earlier
Senate
age,
up
about
here,
12
my
years
old,
I
was
a
stepfather
Senator from Volusia County.
JR:
What was his name?
RG:
Hubert
when
A.
Price
they
and
passed
I
the
was
law
in
for
today and it
was
on my mind
a
and
my
policeman
Police
in
stepfather
more
or
interested
Ormond
was
less
in
the
Senate
at the
Beach
about
mayor
came
along
when
I
of
Ormond
with
the
was about
the Highway Patrol.
7
Patrol
in
1939
as
it
is
time plus my father was
was
for
Chamber
Highway
grandfather
the
it
the
a
policeman,
22
of
and
my
years,
Beach.
family
22 or
Chief
so
So
police
and
I
work
became
and applied
to
JR:
Your
family
left
an
applied
had- a background
apparent
for
the
impression
Highway
in law enforcement and
this
upon
then
Patrol
you
and
and
you
so
were
you
living
at
Ormond Beach at that time, am I correct?
RG:
Yes.
JR:
To whom did you submit your application to, Captain Garris?
RG:
It was submitted by mail
to Tallahassee and I had
letters
from, the Secretary of State at the time was Bob Gray, and
Nathan
Mayo,
the
Secretary
of
Agriculture,
and
I believe
from Senator Beil, I have forgotten what county he was from
at that time.
So it was some few months, some six months
or so before I ever heard about it and I was requested to
report to Eglin Field in January, of course, we took tests
first
in
Tallahassee,
here
at
the
old
armory
on
Monroe
Street, then we reported to Eglin Field on January 9, 1950.
JR:
For recruit training?
RG:
For recruit training.
JR:
How long was the class scheduled for?
RG:
Six weeks.
8
JR:
How many were
in- that class, Captain Garris?
RG:
Best
remember,
I
can
there
was
about
33,
if
I'm
not
mistaken, around 33.
JR:
Is
there
anyone on
the Patrol
today who
attended that class
that you graduated from?
RG:
No,
the
employed
only
two
people
with
the
Department
Patrol anywhere
the
JR:
Driver
in
License
same time
in
Tell
little
me a
recall
the
that
state
I
in
know
of
this
building
that
is Jim Cox, who
Division
and myself.
are
or
still
on
the
is Director of
We
started
at
the
as
you
the 7th Patrol School in January 1950.
them
about
back
in,
you made
application
Patrol.
What
kind
the
preliminary examinations
apparently
or you
of
it
took
was
the
preliminaries
probably
test
to
were
1949
get
when
into
required
at
the
that
time as you recall?
RG:
Well,
we
taking
had
at
and
had
the
state
that
some
and
time you had
Patrol
one
of
regular
particular
aptitude
time,
questions
a
and
physical
that were
them was
Ray
a
test
as
had
about
a
10
in.
and
they
were
spelling
test
the
geography
turned
Grimes,
down
he
at
was
that
under
trooper at
I mentioned before was
160 pounds
heighth
in
I'm
later came
time.
the
building on North Monroe Street in Tallahassee.
9
if
particular
that
given
of
that particular
couple of people who
didn't allow him to become a
our
that
I remember at
about 5 ft.
We had
test
they
particular
to be
not mistaken.
the
the
on
time,
and
Ah,
they
and
old armory
JR:
at the same time you took the
Took a physical examination
written examination?
RG:
Yes, later that afternoon, we took the written test in the
morning and the physical in the afternoon.
JR:
Okay, how long after you took the tests, did you hear that
you were accepted in the Patrol, was there
an
interval of
time of any significance or was it shortly thereafter?
RG:
I'm not
sure
now,
but
it
was probably
probably it was in November of "49,
requested
to report
in January of
about
I imagine
"50
to
two
months,
and we were
Eglin Air Force
which is located in Northwest Florida.
JR:
Which is located in Northwest Florida or actually Okaloosa
County, right close to Fort Walton Beach?
RG:
Yes.
JR:
What was your
drawing,
class,
the
salary that
difference
you were
in
the
informed
salary
and
you would be
the
recruit
subject to graduation or was it all one salary? Do
you recall?
10
RG:
I don't
of
recall
school
exactly,
and
imagine,
it
it
probably
was
something like
$225.00
about
that.
was
per month when we
got out
$50.00
that,
probably
But
it was
less
than
$175.00
as
$225.00 after
I
recruits,
we got out
of Patrol school.
JR:
What was
some
of
the
subjects
that were
taught during
the
school, Captain Garris?
RG:
Law and
bit
first
and of
too and practical
things.
not
aid
During that
mistaken
class,
and
later was
were
going
he
Jimmy
one
to
of
was
course,
had
to march
quite
pistol course and most of those
school
a
Lt. Hall at
lieutenant
Dickens
was
our pilots,
show
we
recruits
a
that
then
sergeant
to
if
I'm
in
charge
of
the
at
that
time
who
disarm
someone had a revolver on you and they had
type
time,
and during that
how
a
school,
each
they
other
if
tried it with an
unloaded revolver in their quarters and Captain, excuse me,
Lt.
Hall
leave
more
the
loaded
up
his
room to meet
time and
revolver
us
in
and
they
class and
they
forgot the gun was loaded and
Dickens through the side.
going
tried
shot Lt.
it
to
one
Jimmy
And that was during that school.
JR:
Was it serious?
RG:
It was not serious, he was
then came back to us.
were
in the hospital for a few days,
Just barely grazed his side.
11
JR:
I would
suspect- that
some
real
tighter
gun
controls
was
implemented after that.
RG:
After that....
JR:
That's great.
Was
there
anyone
else
attending
Air
Force
this
class
other than FHP members?
RG:
We
had
Navy,
some
service
too,
that
there were
five
personnel,
attended.
or six
If
I
others
think
and
I'm
that went
I
not
believe
mistaken,
through the-whole
school with us.
JR:
Upon
your
graduation,
where
were
you
assigned,
Captain
Garris?
RG:
I think
report
we
to
had
Troop
Moore Haven.
about
five
days
Headquarters
in
off
and
Miami
to
be
we
were
to
assigned
to
I reported
JR:
Was the Troop Headquarters for Moore Haven?
RG:
There was a southern division at that time.
JR:
How
many
then
divisions,
Captain
statewide?
12
Garris,
did
they
have
RG:
I believe
they- had
the
western,
northern,
southern
and
central divisions at that particular time.
JR:
Four divisions?
RG:
Four divisions....
JR:
With
Miami
being
the
headquarters
for
the
Southern
Division.
RG:
It went all the way up to Vero Beach I believe and all away
across to south of Sarasota.
JR:
Alright sir, to whom did you report to?
RG:
Clifton was the captain at that time in Miami,
to him.
JR:
What was his rank?
RG:
He was a captain.
JR:
And he subsequently became
RG:
The Director of the Highway Patrol.
13
I reported
JR:
The
Highway
Patrol
How many troopers were
in later years.
on the Highway Patrol in 1950, do you recall the number?
RG:
Well, we went by tag numbers at that time on the radio for
I.D. numbers and if I'm not mistaken we went by tag numbers
til
January
seniority
1952.
1952
numbers
and
and
at
that
time,
I believe
there
we
was
started
195
with
people
in
And my first number was 133.
JR:
That was the tag number of your car?
RG:
No the tag
number of my
car
was
169.
My first
ID number
was 133.
JR:
Which
would
have
been
by
seniority
and
probably
1950
was
somewhere
alphabetically too?
RG:
That's
right.
around oh
So
probably
probably
140
people
in
on
the
there
Patrol
I imagine
in
stations
we
1950.
JR:
Do you recall how many,
about how many patrol
had statewide, Captain Garris?
RG:
Considerably less than we have now but if I'm not mistaken,
we probably had about 25 somewhere along in there.
14
JR:
Who was Director-of
RG:
Colonel Kirkman was the director at that time.
JR:
What was his
RG:
Colonel H.
N. Kirkman.
JR:
And
was
where
the Highway Patrol?
initials?
the
headquarters
located
in
the
1950's
or
when you came on the Patrol?
RG:
It
was
in
the
basement
or
bottom
floor
of
the
Martin
Building uptown Tallahassee.
JR:
Do you recall who the staff consisted of?
RG:
Major
Jay
Wallace
Smith,
now
deceased,
was
there,
if
I'm
not mistaken, Captain Red Taylor, Clinton Taylor was there,
JR:
Has he since retired and still alive?
RG:
Yes,
and
course,
lives
was
in
Delray
Beach.
And
up
here
at
Kirkman, Captain
Hall,
Captain Taylor,
the
Captain
particular
and
time,
of
Colonel
I believe
probably Major Adams was up here at that time too.
15
Hall,
that
JR:
Upon reporting to Miami
uniforms
at
that
time you were
RG:
We
were
was
a
five
car
Miami and I was
K. Jones was
were
I
in
Miami.
issued a
road recruit training.
was
issued
report
to
to me
Fort
territory,
had
Ford
Myers
to Fort
in with
troopers,
for
issued
uniforms
at
the
school,
like
driven
in Miami
my
a minimum
that
own
and
car
thirty
which
also
and Patrolman H.
Myers and
alternated
days,
would
recruit
So he drove the
another older
we
for
then
have
trooper,
we
been
I
on
that
personal car
two of
each
us,
other
two
in
Fort
assigned
to
our
Haven
for
me
and
reported
to
the
that
was
were
Moore
training
patrol car
I drove my
with
I
to
there and he was to report to Fort Myers and
the
Myers
the
something
I
"49
to
different
issued
left
imagine,
was
and we broke
you
uniforms when we
probably
issued
or
were you
in the school?
issued
amount,
time
to Captain Clifton,
LaBelle for him.
JR:
Were
you
given
a
training
time
after
you
troop before you actually were let to be on your own?
RG:
Yes,
I
broke
stationed
part
of
in
the
in
Fort
the time
who
then
a
Albert
Myers
time,
there at
was
with
in
with
at
Miller,
that
a
trooper
particular
Sergeant
Jerry
time
and
Berkhart
who
Fort Myers, and Captain Mack G.
lieutenant,
Fort Myers District.
16
was
the
one
in
charge
some
was
Britt,
of
the
JR:
How was your car equipped, Captain Garris?
RG:
Well,
of
the
the
solid
top
old
red
Ford
it
and
was
a
light
siren
and
it
that I got it,
RG:
I had,
didn't
into
one
special engine or
JR:
that
antennas,
connections
and
radio
"49
of
have
a
the
side
of
the
old
time
up
top
with
was
a
normal
anything
and
I imagine 40
You said the red
which
a
was
spring
just
had
trunk
and
also
the
antennas
and
it
the
red
Ford,
front,
We had
serve
as
had a bell and
the
our
tail
lights
back
red
light.
there was
it
was
had
at
did you
the vehicle?
would
light,
some thousand miles on
light anywhere on the rear of
incorporated
a light in
one
it,
it probably
light was on the
had
on
front
"49
FHP-169,
with
Now
no
a
back
not
the
any
time
it.
have
blinkers
the
had
and
siren
the middle of
a red
up
they
top
that bell
that served as a red light.
JR:
What was your communications at that time?
RG:
At
that
time,
frequency, we had
they
had
one
and
already
two
introduced
frequencies
on
the
that
second
low band
frequency.
JR:
Do you remember
the make
of
time?
17
the radio that was
used at that
RG:
First of all it-was RCA, I'm sorry, it was Motorola, later
it was RCA.
whenever
you
The
Motorola had a dynamometer
keyed
the
back,
you
would
in the back,
hear
that
dynamometer start up.
JR:
Whine would pick up on it?
RG:
And then probably about, I lose recollection of it now, it
was probably a year, year and a half later they went to a
little RCA radio.
JR:
What county is Moore Haven in, Captain Garris?
RG:
In Glades County.
JR:
How many troopers were stationed there in 1950?
RG:
Just
myself,
I worked
all
of
Glades
County
and
half
of
Hendry County including Clewiston and Hayward Jones worked
the other side of Hendry County and LaBelle and north part
of Collier County which was Immokalee.
JR:
I believe
you
said
you
worked
Station?
18
out
of
the
Fort
Myers
RG:
Myers
Fort
station
was
easiest one
the
was the one we
but
district headquarters
was our
to reach
talked to, or
Pahokee
radio
radio and
on the
rather I talked to most of
that
the
time.
supervisor in charge of the Fort Myers Station?
JR:
Who was the
RG:
At that time,
it was
Lieutenant Mack G.
Britt
and under him
was Sergeant Jerry Berkhart, they had no corporal.
JR:
What about the Pahokee Station?
RG:
Pahokee
District
over
Station
was
in
another
district
in West Palm Beach District.
there,
sister that
I
have
lived
in
forgotten
in Moore
the
corporal
Pahokee
the
area that I was
his
of
Pahokee
There was a corporal
name
now
but
he
had
a
Haven, Brenson, Ward Brenson was
at
that
time
but
he
was
not
over
in.
JR:
Describe your uniforms, Captain Garris.
RG:
In the summertime,
we had
to wear
bus driver type hats
JR:
out
It had a bill to it?
19
the old
examiner type, or
RG:
Yes....we
had
already
gone
to
the
cotton
shirt
at
time, long sleeve, but we had to wear a tie and
that
a hat
in
the car and outside the car. In the wintertime, we had the
Stetson and the wool shirt.
JR:
What about your gun belt?
RG:
The gun belt was leather, it was not plastic like they have
now.
We had
to polish those along with your shoes which
they were not plastic at that time they were Corfam leather
and
the
belt
had
to be
polished and
you
had
almost daily and you had to make sure you got
to
do
that
it off the
edge, if you didn't it would get on your pants and shirt.
JR:
What else did you carry on the belt?
RG:
Well, we had, of course, a bullet pouch and a handcuff case
and
I'm
lefthanded,
so
I had
a holster
on
the
left
side
like everyone else with the butt forward and I had to pull
the gun out backwards and we never changed that
the whole
time that I was on the Patrol.
JR:
What was the weapon that was issued to you, Captain Garris?
RG:
A .38 regular, regular .38 special.
JR:
Did you have to qualify with this weapon
at the time you
graduated from the Patrol school, do you recall?
20
RG:
Yes, we did.
JR:
Did you have pistol shoots or pistol practice at
RG:
Periodically after we got out, yes we did, probably, I have
forgotten
the
something
like
from
wherever
when we
and
time,
that
we
and
were
had practice
qualifying,
probably
Jim
about
we would go
stationed.
and
we were
Cox
was
next
every
to
Back
Fort
in
learning
to
three
me
months,
Myers
Patrol
about
and
he
for
it
school,
revolvers
shot
my
target because he couldn't hit his so we went down there
to
count and
had,
I
had about eight more holes
than
I should have
(laughing).
JR:
How long were you stationed in Moore Haven?
RG:
I was
in Moore
Haven from about April of, April or May of
"50 until February 1st of "51,
I went to Sebring.
JR:
Approximately a' year or so, or a little over a year
RG:
Little over a year.
JR:
Then
to
Sebring,
that's
in
correct?
21
Highlands
County,
is
that not
RG:
Yes,
Johnny
Hicks
Patrol,
was
Sebring
and he
the
had
had
in
that particular
go
back
there...stayed
and
two
us
of
in
then
in
the
and
was
Howard
county.
deceased but
place
JR:
What
the
Gracey
it
had
he
back
so
who
was
in
Avon
about
Park
in
he was
Marines
wanted
left
had
Highway
stationed
the
they
for
there
if
the
was
I
shortly
to
So
on
Marine Reserves,
service
in Sebring prior to that and
it
and
service,
the
came
that
major
second world war
in
he
a
Park
in the
county
gone
later
Avon
stayed
during the
he
months
was
in
stationed
service
to
who
in
and
somebody
after
I
came
three or four
and
been
there
were
someone
else
I'm not mistaken, I believe
later
been vacant
for
a
lieutenant
awhile when
I
and
now
took
his
in Sebring and Johnny Hicks was in Avon Park.
were
your
number
activities
of
then,
arrests,
Captain
written
Garris,
warnings,
as
do
far
you
as
recall
about how it ran on a monthly basis?
RG:
Well,
actually
statewide,
what
they
there
everybody
Sebring,
Hicks
and
had
were
did
in
a
list
not
all
too
over
Highlands
that
many
they
used
the
troopers
state
County
and
of everybody.
usually
There were
higher
areas.
If
particular
than
I'm
several
that
not
and
in
the
densely
good
month
time, would have been probably about
less,
somewhere
same
for
in
warnings
the
and
40
30's or 40's, and probably
cards,
hundred or so.
22
you
would
at
show
in
Johnny
state, out
more
a
to
Park,
troopers
mistaken,
out
usually
other
in
send
then
and
Avon
and myself were probably 4th or 5th
to
that
were
populated
at
that
cases or
about
least
the
get
a
JR:
What
were
the
-cases primarily
made,
what
was
the
most
prevalent violations?
RG:
There
were
a
number
for
DUI,
for
drunk
driving,
but
the
biggest portion of them were probably of speeding.
JR:
You were stationed in Sebring now for how long?
RG:
For
three
years,
then
I
was
the
went
to
Fort
Myers
in
about
September 1953.
JR:
To
Fort
Myers
and
commanding
officer
still
Mack
Britt?
RG:
No, during that time there had been a change and Mack Britt
made
in
captain
Fort
Myers
particular
was
made
temporarily
and
then
time, during
a
went
lieutenant
to Miami,
went
the
or
to
time
I'm
Lakeland
sorry,
and
stayed
at
that
I was in Sebring, Simmons
transferred
over,
he
was
lieutenant in Pahokee, he was transferred to Fort Myers.
JR:
What was his initials?
RG:
H. Lee Simmons, Hardy Lee Simmons.
JR:
And he in later years became the
23
a
RG:
The
lieutenant
colonel
or
deputy
director
for
the
Highway
Patrol.
JR:
And he is
RG:
Yes,
retired
living
Berkhart
resigned
in
had
and
And
RG:
He was
Tallahassee.
been
William
Myers at that
JR:
today?
In
the
transferred
to
Kaufman
time before
I
meantime,
was
left
Fort
the
Sergeant
Myers
sergeant
Jerry
and
then
later
in
Fort
and
then
Sebring.
he was subsequently
subsequently
laterally
moved
Services
a major
over
Division
and
as
on
a
is
the
Highway
Director
now
of
retired
Patrol
Administrative
and
lives
in
Tallahassee.
JR:
Administrative
RG:
In
JR:
He is
RG:
In
JR:
Okay,
Services Division
the Department
alive
in
the Department?
of Highway Safety and
today and currently
living
Motor Vehicles.
in
Tallahassee?
Tallahassee.
Captain Garris,
how long were you
24
in
Fort Myers
now?
'RG:
I
about
there
was
through
"53
"55
early
went
I
when
to
Orlando.
JR:
When you arrived
or
headquarters
districts
do
or
troop
in Orlando, who was, was Orlando the
were
you
of
the
or
regions
configuration
the
recall
the
in
still
you
the
state
that we are talking about some five years later?
RG:
troops
at that particular time and
troop commander was
included,
way
they had been changed
if I'm not mistaken, I think
Okay,
including
Carlan
Bunnell
Lake
County
and
and down.
and
Orlando
to
Flagler
and the
that was Troop D
in
of -Melbourne, down
all
to
up
Clyde
Kissimmee
County
and
Probably about
his
and
troops
all
across
13
to
the
to
counties
on that.
JR:
The troop commander carried the
RG:
Was a captain.
JR:
And Captain Carlan is, where
RG:
He
and
has
since
is still
retired as
rank of what?
is he today?
a captain
living.
25
and
lives
in Panama
City
JR:
How
many
troopers
Orlando area,
now
let's
since
just
you
were
stationed
in
the
say Orange County, Captain Garris,
do you recall?
RG:
In Orange County
in
1955 and early "56,
there were five
not
counting supervisors, there were five.
JR:
For the entire county?
RG:
For the entire county.
JR:
And
there
was
a
troop
commander
and
were
the
other
supervisory
RG:
The best I can remember at
know
particularly
why,
was
that particular time
Captain
Carlan
and
and
I don't
there
was
a
First Sergeant Brown, I have forgotten Brown's first name.
JR:
Was
RG:
No,
it Elmer?
it
was
Tallahassee
not
one
of
Elmer,
the
Elmer
times but
Brown.
JR:
Collier Brown?
26
was
the
stationed
other
one was
here
in
Collier
RG:
Collier
a
Brown was
lieutenant
at
the
the
Were
you
working
sergeant
there,
I
know
time.
occurred, but that's
JR:
first
don't
we didn't have
why
or
why
that
the way it was.
six
days
a
week,
Captain
Garris,
during
those years?
RG:
Yes,
from
guess,
on
the
start
we worked
Saturday,
til
probably
five days,
everybody had
way
up
excuse me,
to
work
on
in
six
the
sixties,
days
Saturday
I
a week
and
and
was
it
sixteen hours on Saturday and twelve hours on a normal day.
JR:
What about on holidays?
RG:
On
off
holidays,
or
not.
holidays,
serious
you
You
there
the
had
to
had
was
work
to
work
twelve
holiday was,
too
or
like
whether
and
most
sometimes
Christmas,
it
was
of
the
your
time,
according
it
days
to
on
how
would probably
be sixteen hours.
JR:
Were you on call even though you were off duty?
RG:
Yes.
JR:
Did
you
carry
your
patrol
car
home
required to leave it at the station?
27
with
you
or
were
you
RG:
No,
from
the time
that
I came on
the
Patrol
til
I
you
had,
retired,
we always carried the patrol car home.
JR:
Kept the same patrol car?
RG:
Yes.
JR:
What
was
the makeup of
the patrol
just
say
when you
to
went
cars
Orlando
in
that
1955.
Do
you
let's
recall
what the Patrol was buying?
RG:
Most
of
the
time,
during
years they were
Fords.
Ford
with
that
came
time when you were
and
I
When
had
I
short
a
"53
started
time
and
that particular
When
me.
In
I went
to Orlando
otherwords,
transferred, you
and
later
though,
got
a
I
I got
had
"51
a
and
at
took
a
"55
"49
I
early part
that
your
I
turned
a
"53
with you
in Orlando.
kept
that
the
particular
car
vehicle
and
I had
of
it
car
for
over
a
in
Sebring, chasing another person and
it was rainy and
on
southend
of
we
safety
belts
seat
that
or
I was
Highlands
belts
chasing
and
pulled
keep
from
the
car.
"50
and
out
in
hitting
So
I
that
and
particular
ran the stop
front
him,
didn't
of
me
turned
that
I carried
a "50 Ford.
28
sign
and
I
at
and
the
car
intersection
and
that
ran
and
was
car
and
was
was one
intersection
off
over
that,
have
time,
speeding got by an
demolished
from that
I ever had,
at
for
an elderly gentleman
County
the
of
the
thrown
later
the
road
to
out
of
issued
a
best cars
JR:
Were you injured-as a result of the accident?
RG:
Somewhat, I more or less tore my pants off and a lady came
running
and
across
asked
from
what did
the
one
I need,
service
station
could she
just bring me a pair of britches.
at
help me
that
and
place
I said,
(laughing)
JR:
Okay, how long were you in Orlando, Captain Garris?
RG:
I was in Orlando '55 and part of "56 and went to Melbourne.
JR:
Did we have a patrol station in Melbourne?
RG:
Yes, we did and we had one for quite some time before that,
I don't know really when that one started, but
it may have
been there all along, it probably was before 1950.
JR:
And Orlando was still the troop headquarters?
RG:
It was
district
still
the
troop
headquarters
headquarters
and
Hope
and Melbourne
Carlan
a
brother
was
the
of
the
captain was the sergeant in Melbourne at that time.
JR:
How many troopers
in the Melbourne area, what
the Melbourne area cover?
29
counties did
RG:
Brevard
I'm
not
County .all
mistaken,
the
way
there
up
through
was
Hope
Titusville,
Carlan
and
and
myself
if
in
Melbourne, and there was Maxwell
JR:
Grady, was
RG:
No,
I'm
it Grady Maxwell?
sorry,
the
one
that
was with
you
in
Records,
what
was his name?
JR:
Peacock?
RG:
Peacock,
I'm sorry, Peacock was
trooper with
him.
If
I'm
not
in Titusville
mistaken,
I
and
think
one
other
there
was
only four of us.
JR:
That was Sergeant W.
RG:
Yes, he was a trooper at that time.
JR:
And he has since retired?
RG:
Retired.
JR:
Okay,
was
Patrol
from
there
during
1950
to
S. Peacock, William S.
anything
that
was
going
those years, now and we
1955
to
"56,
was
there
on
in
the
are talking
any
drastic
the Patrol, Captain Garris, that you recall?
30
Peacock?
Highway
about say
change
in
RG:
we
Well,
salaries
had
at
a
that
$50.00
raise,
$350.00
and
of
time.
I
one
they
legislature,
couple
think
adding
increased
they
with that we had some
men
the
RG:
I was
January
before
20,
it
1957,
opened,
to
one
that
at
each
of
and
in
went,
excuse
$250.00,
along
raises
a
me
particular
course,
along
increased supervisory positions.
And how long were you in Melbourne?
Melbourne
had
force
JR:
in
we
$225.00
from
were
substantial
very
a year
when
and
then
I went
to
the
Turnpike
the Turnpike opened,
about five days
and
was
in
that
of
the
first
Troop
K
at
particular
time.
JR:
So
you
were
one
troopers
that
was
ever
assigned to the Turnpike?
RG:
Yes.
JR:
Am I correct
RG:
Yes.
JR:
How many troopers
in that?
or
what
was
Captain Garris?
31
the
length
of
the
Turnpike,
RG:
One
eight and
hundred
from the
two tenths miles
bobtail
first
part of
it
if
I'm
not mistaken
down
from Fort Pierce
to
Miami.
JR:
And how many troopers were assigned to that?
RG:
Best I can remember,
captain and
And where was
RG:
Troop
in
office
when
Beach
33
including
the
was
the
the troop headquarters?
Fort
it
it
when
headquarters,
Turnpike
it was around
the supervisors and everybody.
JR:
Palm
I think
Lauderdale,
was
off
started
completed
later
it
in,
was
construction.
West
in
It
was
first in Fort Lauderdale.
JR:,
And who was the troop commander?
RG:
Captain Clinton (C.E.)
JR:
How long did you stay on the Turnpike, Captain Garris?
RG:
I was
there
came
to
one
the
commander, Lt.
was
the
first
to
Captain
Lake
County
Taylor
the
lieutenant
sergeant
the
Turnpike.
made
lieutenant, he
from
went
Randall was
back
went
and
Turnpike
went
I
to
year
Taylor.
Palatka,
there
on
was
transferred
was the
in
1958
Tavares.
32
was
and
and
the
Palatka,
I
troop
Kaufman
Later when
to
when
again
Randall
Kaufman
lieutenant on the Turnpike, and
in
January
to
Lake
County,
to
JR:
And who was stationed in Lake County with you?
RG:
Lake
about
lived
Leesburg,
Sigman,
Bull,
of
a
half
there
who
Clermont,
is
the
was
of
a
now
south
was
a
mile
of
the
is
in
in Clermont
and
there
and
and
Palatka
the
now
and
lived
deceased,
county,
Bull who
trooper
I
was
troop
I
think
in
Tom
in
Captain
commander
that was
If I'm not mistaken, there was five of us.
all.
JR:
What
RG:
Major
is Major Spears, what is his status today?
is
Spears
Highway
retired
but
Patrol which carried
now retired and lives
he
the
RG:
Well,
in Lake County,
I was promoted
rank of
inspector
a major
with
and
he
the
is
in West Florida.
How long were you in Lake County?
I was
an
was
JR:
and
later
(Major)
Captain
end
in Tavares with me,
where
from
Neely,
Gabe
excuse me, Major
Troop H,
Hamp Spears was
there was,
County,
"58,
to corporal
and about April
"59
and
sent
to Marathon
of
"60
in
the
Florida Keys.
JR:
That's as far south as you can just about....
RG:
Key
West
is
the
only
place
miles further.
33
that
is
further,
it
is
fifty
JR:
Now what year was
that you went
this, Captain Garris,
to
Marathon?
RG:
I went to Marathon about April of 1960.
JR:
And you were still a trooper at that time?
RG:
Yes,
JR:
And you had ten years under you on the Patrol and who was
stationed in Marathon, was there a station in Marathon?
RG:
There was a station in Marathon, no station at that time in
Key
West.
Just
in
one
Marathon
county of Monroe County and
that
and
was
the
whole
I was the supervisor for that
particular county under a supervisor out of Miami who was a
lieutenant.
JR:
You said you were the supervisor for that county?
RG:
Yes.
JR:
Were you promoted or was this
RG:
No,
I went
there
as
a
corporal
district sergeant you might say,
that particular time.
34
and
but
I
was
the
acting
I was a corporal
at
JR:
So that was your"first promotion?
RG:
Yes.
JR:
You
to
went
Marathon
and
was
Monroe County
a
of what
part
troop?
RG:
Of
E
Troop
and
in
counties
the
that
headquarters
were
troop
was
in
and
Dade
Broward,
and
Miami
the
Monroe
Counties.
JR:
And do you recall the troop commander at that time?
RG:
The
troop
Captain
and
commander
E.
D.
Johnny
at
Duggar.
Hicks
was
that
The
a
time
was
lieutenant
first
was
sergeant
Captain
W.
Duggar,
A.
Stevens,
there
at
that
particular time.
JR:
How many troopers were assigned to Monroe County?
RG:
The
best
Marathon,
I
there was
end and one
JR:
Was
your
remember,
one
there
was
trooper
to
one
with
trooper
start with
on
me
the
in
north
in Key West.
station
communications
day Captain Garris?
35
network
on
duty
24
hours
a
RG:
and
we
had
that
came
station
the
on
if I'm not mistaken.
the Marathon Station for
served as a supervisor for
And you
station up
bunk
a
I believe
the air at 7 a.m. in the morning,
JR:
in
station
the
midnight until,
after
there
in
slept
operator
the
locked the
at midnight and
No, we signed off
how long?
RG:
"61
"60,
I was there
While I was
sergeant and went to Miami.
end
north
and on
time
this
who
Matthews
Charlie
who
had Jimmy Wright
retired, we
at
had
we
"62 when I made
about October of
until
in Marathon on
a
was
now
trooper
in Panama City
is a major
Carmody, who
south end was Jack
the
the
is
the Deputy Director with the Department at this time.
JR:
Were
or
there
the
or
uniforms
from
actually
from
"55
in any of
significant changes
any
we
cars
the
said
until
1960,
anything
radio
equipment
"55
from
earlier
of
can
you
that
any
up
the procedures
up
recall
to
1955
significance
until
and
say
that
you
recall?
RG:
Well
the
was
still
but
RCA
gotten
better
better
and
streamlined,
if
improved
it
they
automobiles,
they
changed
better
I'm not mistaken,
improved,
the
the
sirens,
36
engines
sirens
it had
to
They
had
little
bit
somewhat.
were
where
a
it
it
a light in the
was
more
front and
no bell
were
and a
light
equipped
with
though and we went
part
of
"56
I
part
straight
in
the
rear
to
lights
an
think
Some
of the
before
they
automatic
it
shift
rear.
was.
in
changed
transmission
They
"56
older sirens
and
were
the
part,
latter
the
them
latter
Fords
were
part
were
automatic.
JR:
Did
you
have
power
steering
those
until
and
power
brakes,
Captain
Garris?
RG:
We
didn't have
putting
not
on
those
certain
1955,
in
about
I'm sorry,
"54,
the
"65,
probably,
"55,
I
think
somewhere
time.
We
it was all
had
they
along
air
started
there,
I'm
conditioners
in
the way up to there before
we got air conditioners.
JR:
How about a
commercial radio, were you
allowed
to
have one
of those at that time or was that
RG:
No,
we
were
not
long
time
they
shouldn't
other
and
and
a
allowed
lot
to
of
have
people
had
that
they
places
where
they
would
don't
really
I
radios
expense
in.
They
before
what year.
remember
probably
let
commercial
had
used
little
up
on
receive
when
you
the
put
them
for
portables
the
in
at
a
that
dashboard
commercial
they
put
radios
or
stations
commercial
your
own
we ever bought them. I really don't remember
Do you recall?
37
JR:
I
the
think
bought
or
them
for
them
purchased
I
allowed,
were
officers
safety
the
they
think
officers
safety
in
1965.
RG:
Along about the same time as the air conditioners.
JR:
I think the troop commander was allowed to
RG:
Yes,
JR:
Alright, Captain Garris, we got you
1962
and
you
troopers were
had
been
assigned
promoted
to
the
Dade County was the Patrol
RG:
Well, we were
most
and
of
the
the
County.
two
At
who was
and we
a split
22 or
So you
just
October
How
Sergeant.
area
and
what
field
the expressway
Trail,
Tamiami
in
system
the
me
now this would
JR:
in
there with
20,
the
and
of
many
area
of
the
there
was
another
Gracey,
who
is
be a guess,
but
each
it was
#1
city
a
Probably on
shift.
U.S.
had
and
Howard
outside
system and
we
time,
that particular
sergeants
had
for all
roads,
expressway
to
Miami
in
Miami
responsible for?
responsible
state
in
have one.
South
of Dade
lieutenant
now
and
sergeant
deceased,
shift, we had,
probably
around
23 persons per shift.
had
to
say
40
or
some
assigned to
38
40
or
50
uniformed
personnel
RG:
It
was
closer
to
the
high
30's
or
low
40's,
if
I'm
not
mistaken.
JR:
I believe
you said
earlier
that Monroe County
and
Broward
County were part of
RG:
Were part of that group. Monroe was a subdistrict you might
say
out
of
Lauderdale
the
or
Dade
Broward
and
Monroe
County
was
County
another
District
district
and
within
that troop.
JR:
And the Director of the Patrol was at that time?
RG:
At that time, it was still H. N. Kirkman.
JR:
Do you recall,
Captain Garris, how many
troops that we had
statewide at this time or did the troop configuration.....
RG:
We
had
a
Weights
Troop
too
took care of the weighing of
over
the
state
and
if
I'm
at
that
particular
the trucks on the
not
mistaken,
Troop
been instituted at that time, which was later an
troop.
JR:
Motor Vehicle Inspection?
39
time
that
highway all
M had
not
inspection
RG:
it
Inspection,
Vehicle
Motor
was
in
not
until
existence
We had Troop A in North Florida, Troop B in Lake
later on.
City and C had been moved
not mistaken,
Lakeland
from Bartow to
was
the
Lakeland,
troop headquarters,
if
I'm
started
off as Bartow....
JR:
Now do you recall what year
interesting.
That's
this was,
Captain Garris?
RG:
That it went from Bartow to Lakeland?
JR:
Yes sir.
RG:
Probably after
in
or
"53
district
"54,
I left
probably
"53
commander
Sebring.
that was
in
It was
because
Fort
some
that's
time probably
whenever
Myers went
there
the
as a
captain.
JR:
Unk.....you got troop C and D was still in Orlando.
RG:
Orlando and
time,
F, if
Troop F.
I'm
not mistaken, was
formed
that
Troop F, at that particular time, before it
was formed, was part of the Southern Division.
JR:
about
Okay, what was the troop headquarters for F?
40
RG:
It started off,-before
within
the
Sarasota.
Southern
it was a troop headquarters, it was
Division
and
the
station
was
in
Then later when they built one, they moved it to
Bradenton,
that's
when
it
became
Troop
F
and
Troop
F
JR:
Alright sir.
RG:
It went from Lakeland then back to Troop F headquarters
in
headquarters.
Bradenton.
JR:
Alright sir, Troop G?
RG:
Troop
G was,
it
was,
at
that
particular
time,
to
start
with, I think it was part of Troop B, and then it was split
off and made Troop G.
JR:
And the troop headquarters was in Palatka?
RG:
Palatka.
JR:
Of course, Troop H
RG:
Troop H was
were,
and
formulated along at the
that
headquarters
counties around there.
41
in
same
time as A and B
Tallahassee
and
several
JR:
And then you had"K which was
RG:
Turnpike,
started
whenever
as
it went
the Turnpike
the
into existence
Troop only
for
in
that
"57
is
when
K
one particular
road.
JR:
And the Weights Troop was what letter designation?
RG:
I think
it
was I,
if
I'm not mistaken,
it was
all
over the
state.
JR:
What was their primary responsibilities, Captain Garris?
RG:
For
overweight
and
the
trucks
and
weight
poor damage of the
stations
highway
that they were
with the weight laws for the
state.
JR;
Was
entire state?
RG:
All over the state.
JR:
And it's headquarters was where?
RG:
Orlando.
JR:
Alright
it all over, covered the
around
the
state
complying
In the same place that Troop D was.
sir.
How
long,
you
correct?
42
were
sergeant
in
Miami.
Am
I
*RG:
Yes.
JR:
And you were there for how long?
RG:
For a couple of years and I
transferred closer to home as a
sergeant in Jacksonville in 1964 about April.
JR:
You were sergeant in Jacksonville?
RG:
Jacksonville
Lieutenant,
over
if
Nassau
County
and
I'm not mistaken, I'll
Duval
County
have to
under
think of his
name.....
JR:
What year was this Captain Garris?
RG:
1964.
JR:
Captain Garris, we have gotten you to Duval County and give
me the year that you went there again.
RG:
I went there probably in April of "64.
JR:
And who was the officer in charge?
RG:
Garland
Stafford
was
the
lieutenant
Prater out of Palatka.
43
and
the
captain
was
JR:
How many troopers were assigned to Duval County?
RG:
They
not
around
so
or
33
I
before
shifts
different
around
we
and
of
and
left
28
we
course,
approximately
had
went
it
and
if
but
there
I was
while
probably
was
it
mistaken,
bit
little
a
increased
had
up
to
three
five
probably
I'm
or
six people and a corporal.
JR:
Was the station located then where
RG:
No,
it was
10,
off of old U.S.
in
town
little
it is today?
right off
west of Jacksonville
it was
90 was where
in Marietta,
just
Marietta
call
they
that
Interstate
of
in the
west
of
it
was
Jacksonville.
JR:
Had Jacksonville consolidated at that time?
RG:
No,
it
was
after "67
later
on,
probably
after
I
left
there,
if I'm not mistaken, sometime after that.
JR:
Were you the only sergeant, Captain Garris?
RG:
Yes,
I was
the
only
sergeant
there
and
we
had
a
couple
it
still
of
corporals with me.
JR:
Was
your
station
on
24-hour
at midnight?
44
duty
then
or
was
off
RG:
No, it was on 24-hour duty at that time.
JR:
And
the
Jacksonville
Duval County or did
station or
that district
covered
it encompass other counties.
RG:
It encompassed Duval and Nassau County.
JR:
How many troopers were assigned to Nassau County?
RG:
There
was
four
other
a
just
corporal
troopers
and
if
probably
I'm
not
five
other
mistaken.
troopers
Corporal
or
(unk)
Amason was the corporal up in Nassau County.
JR:
What was his first name, do you recall?
RG:
I have forgotten his name.
JR:
Was it Victor?
RG:
Vic Amason,
JR:
Alright
sir,
your tenure
major
I believe, V.C. Amason.....
did
of
change
anything
duty
in
of
any
significance
in Duval County
the
Patrol
uniforms or patrol cars?
45
that you
policies
or
occur
recall
during
or
any
significance
in
RG:
Well,
in
time I was
at that particular time, during the
there
"65 as we alluded to earlier was when the cars came with
Burns who had
air conditioners and also while I was there,
the
been
elected Governor and
was
mayor of Jacksonville
I
think due to his administration and the legislature at that
particular
time,
we
back
dropped
We were working six days a week
work.
to
a week
days
five
to
at that time and we
changed to five days a week.
JR:
Did
you have
any
idea
the
of what
of
strength
Patrol
the
was in 1965?
RG:
In "65,
in
I really don't know, in otherwords, it was probably
the vicinity of
don't
know.
600
Probably
somewhere
was
6
to
along
7
in
there,
hundred.
If
I really
I'm
not
mistaken, the I.D. numbers were approaching the 700 range.
JR:
You
had
a
rather
traumatic
when
experience
stationed in Fort Myers, Captain Garris.
you
were
Would you like to
elaborate on what took place then?
RG:
When I came
day off
and
near the Je
to Fort Myers,
the
I worked two days and I had one
fourth day that
Beach
road
I worked there,
and I met
one headlight, it was just after dark.....
JR:
This was the Jack4onvilye Beach road?
46
a car
I was out
that
had
RG:
I'm sorry,
dark
and
it was the Fort Myers Beach road and
I
think
it
was
September
4th,
just after
just
after
7:00
p.m.,
JR:
What year was this Captain?
RG:
In
1953
and
headlight
I turned
and
when
around and
I stopped
stopped
him,
the
I pulled
car with
in
one
behind
him
and got my ticket book which would have been the correction
card
book
slammed
and
the
my
door,
didn't know at
the
I was
and
shot
first what
of
that
a second
it was but
so
a
time,
I
shot
five times
and
particular
fellow shot
aways
and
fell,
unloaded my gun.
looked
shot
through
and
got
out
through
lower part of my upper right
flash
car
flashlight
the
thigh and
little
gun
six
at
I
through
ensued
and
that
time
at
other
front of
that
his
I
had
I snapped it a couple of times and when I
from
the
headlights
of
my
car
shining
through the other car, I saw another person in the car.
I loaded up my gun right quick, my revolver, and
loaded
side
of
it up,
the
the
door
fellow had gotten
and
I
hollered
out of
to
him
the
to
So
just as
throw
down
He had a
.38 revolver and threw it down and I made him come back
He was rather tall, he was about 6 ft.
47
I
right-hand
whatever he had or I would kill him, and he did.
me.
I
I saw the
battle
the
as
leg.
it go
then
times
realized
just
right
I felt
he ran around
I
and
1 in.
to
or 2 in.
So I handcuffed him and made
but he was only -16 years old.
him get in
radio
for
the
car and
help
and
that particular
shortly
thereafter
arrived at
black
the
it
was
a sergeant
from where Kaufman, who was
away
I called
time,
not
at
the
too
that
far
time,
scene and a couple of deputy sheriffs and
fellow drove
up
at
that
time,
and
a
forgotten
I have
his name now, but I asked him to check the other man to see
where
he
was
Kaufman came
and
up
he
walked
and he
came
over
to
back
over there and that he was dead.
him
about
told me
and
the
that
time
he
was
Later we found the reason
for all of this was that these two people had robbed a home
in Jacksonville, excuse me
two
people
and
four
about
stopped
them
set
miles
and
fire
from
he
in Fort
to
the
where
thought
Myers Beach,
house
that
that
and
had
I knew
and killed
they had
happened
that
he
driven
when
had
I
done
this when I stopped him for the headlight and that's why he
started shooting right away.
JR:
And what year was this, Captain Garris?
RG:
In September 1953.
JR:
Okay,
let's
go back
to
Jacksonville
tenure
of
duty.
You
were there for how long?
RG:
I was in Jacksonville three years, I was there "64,
"66
and
early
"67
I
was
transferred back to Miami.
48
promoted
to
"65
lieutenant
and
and
JR:
In 1966?
RG:
In "67 early "67.
JR:
Who was the
troop commander
at
in Miami
the
you were
time
down there?
RG:
Miami
In
at
that
particular
was
the
lieutenant, excuse me
I'm
time,
captain and Johnny Hicks was the
W.
A.
Stevens
sorry, Stevens retired at that particular time, he had been
the
captain,
commander
in
Johnny
Troop
Hicks made
E
in
Miami,
captain,
and
he
I was
along with Howard Gracey, who was another
was
the
the
troop
lieutenant
lieutenant there
who was operating as a duty officer in the station.
JR:
You were in Miami for how long?
RG:
I
in
was
Miami
about October
of
from
1976
"67
early
when
April
"67,
I was
promoted
of
to
until
"67,
captain and
came to the Investigation Section in Tallahassee.
JR:
Did
area,
any
significant
during
events
your tenure
of
Garris?
49
occur
duty as
in
Dade
County,
a lieutenant,
Miami
Captain
RG:
Convention
that
"68,
in
or
410
riot
accompanying
and
states
Republican
Presidents
assisted
we
But a number of
the
RG:
I
think
Tallahassee
it was along
JR:
Of "76?
RG:
Of "76.
JR:
Alright
sir,
there
Liberty
service
the
we
had
that
numerous
and
heads
an
with
along
City,
and
came
"72,
of
whenever
other
asked.
things happened in Miami daily.
You were promoted to captain
to
in
at
City
Liberty
Conventions
secret
JR:
came
in
time
in
conventions
assigned
men
each
where
details
other
20
riot
two
the
had
the
and
Democratic
probably
we
then
time,
a
with
along
National
Republican
convention,
a- national
had
we
Well,
and
in
in October of 1976?
October,
if
I'm
not
of
captain
mistaken,
I
about October.
you
had
the
capacity were you to serve
rank
in Tallahassee, were
what
and
in
you
talking
about being sent to GHQ, general headquarters?
RG:
JR:
As
the
....
unk.....
chief
investigator
in
the
You were, Chief, that was your title?
50
Investigation
Section
RG:
Yes,
JR:
Chief
RG:
Yes.
JR:
Who
investigator?
the
was
the
of
director
you
when
Patrol
Highway
came
here?
RG:
Beach
was
made
was
Clifton
was
served
in
along
in
maybe
less
Beach
was
capacity
than
time
made
in
When I
Colonel Beach,
RG:
Yes,
H.
came
Lee
colonel
and
that,
somewhere
and
early
he
was
in
E.
Simmons
somewhere
in
1972,
there,
and
Democratic
Miami
with
there,
in
us
and
he was
National
at
the
Beach?
was
under Beach.
51
"68
he
he was the director.
to Tallahassee,
J.
and
Republican
in
Colonel
and
along
along
Colonel
Patrol
around
somewhere
position
and
director
probably
from
"72,
the
Colonel
director
Highway
the
probably
1972
another
executive
of
meantime,
the
and
promotion
the
In
time.
about
director
during
JR:
lieutenant
until
there
Conventions
and
as
that
executive
director
made
director
time.
the
promoted
that
a
been
as
available
Kirkman
the
had
there
probably
at
director
the
the
deputy
director
and
JR:
was
the Investigation
statewide
responsibilities
or
area,
particular
one
in
just
it
or did
statewide,
enforcement
exercise
Section
the
did
Captain Garris,
what
was
or
it's
primary function when you came here to Tallahassee?
RG:
Statewide
and
auto
affairs
internal
theft
investigations
and
and
less
or
more
we
had
investigations
persons
stationed
all over the state.
JR:
Do you recall how many
RG:
Not
15,
exactly,
if
if
I'm
investigators that you had?
not mistaken,
maybe
I'm
not,
was
assigned
less,
13
there
or
15
probably
was
somewhere
about
along
in
there.
JR:
Someone
to
each
troop
and
maybe
some
troops
had more than one.
in Miami,
RG:
Yes,
JR:
Of course, you had a couple of staff people?
RG:
Yes,
JR:
How
long
did
you
serve
as
Garris?
52
the
chief
investigator,
Captain
RG:
for "a
I was
here
about
February
little more
than
a year,
I was
sent
back
of
"78,
to
and
"76
Miami
then
as
the
troop commander, troop commander of Troop E.
JR:
Who did you relieve?
RG:
Johnny Hicks was promoted
to major and came
to Tallahassee
and I went back to Miami.
JR:
As troop commander?
RG:
Yes,
JR:
1978?
RG:
1978,
and
we
still
had
the
three
counties,
Dade,
Broward
and Monroe Counties at that particular time.
JR:
Do you recall the number of personnel that you had assigned
to Troop E, let's just say for Dade County?
RG:
Well,
for the whole
troop, the best
I remember, I think
was 102 or 104 people including civilians and everyone,
in
Dade County,
there probably was about 60
I'm not mistaken.
Still
fairly
quite a few also.
53
low.
some people
Broward
it
now
if
County had
JR:
How long were you troop commander there?
RG:
I retired
the end of October which would have been November
1st really of
1978 and came to Tallahassee
to work
for
the
Governor's Highway Safety Commission.
JR:
Let's go back
to Dade County or your tenure as
I'm
mean
sorry,
events
any
I
that
took
as
troop
place
difference
or
commander.
during
rather
that
than
lieutenant,
Were
there
time
that
the
normal,
any
would be
of
routine
day-to-day affairs of operating or running a troop that you
recall?
RG:
Well,
no,
not
anything
more
than
normal
things
except
we
had one trooper that had stopped a car out near the airport
expressway
highway
on
and
the
a
drunk
killed him, and
along
with
driver
then we had
a wrecker
part in and those
I was
westbound
there
and
driver
side
of
came
it
and
was
off
the
along
and
hit
him
and
another
trooper
on
Turnpike
the
two events occurred
those
are
that was
shot
that we
took
during the
time
that
the only two outstanding things
you say rather than normal operations.
JR:
What
was
the
name
of
the
trooper
automobile, do you recall his name?
54
who
was
hit
by
the
RG:
then
the
I'd
I'm not mistaken,
if
Barnwell,
other
trooper
that
was
have
look
to
shot
was
on
how
long
again
and
the Turnpike
and I don't remember his name now.
JR:
were
You
troop
for
commander
specifically,
Captain?
RG:
it
Actually
was
only
from
until
February
the
end
of
October.
JR:
You
were
assigned
I
not
that
was
of
the
state
during
was
primarily
part of
it
being
in
you
had
stationed
in
your
career
the
southern
from,
the
opportunity
several
with
the
end
of
learned
I
areas
Patrol,
thing
and
the
throughout
most
state,
the
a
of
it
central
with the exception of the years you were here in
What
GHQ.
of,
aware
privilege
just
apparently
was
the,
what
area
did
you
the most and
enjoy
the years that you were there?
RG:
Well,
the
Park
area
County
was
was
enjoyable,
those
time
were
in
very
very
I
two
time
enjoyable
good.
hated
the
County
Highlands
to
Of
leave
most
all
of
55
and
Avon
in
Lake
them
were
left
but
Sebring
the
and
course,
desirable
Highlands County and Sebring,
and
all
them,
areas
time
of
when
I
in
my
opinion,
Tavares and Lake County.
JR:
There
a
were
lot
during your tenure with the
a
a
real
and
reputation,
along
getting
knack
Captain
to,
that
attribute
you
do
What
people.
with
good
had
had
and you
you
liked
everybody
you
concerned,
was
Patrol
far as
state as
Garris was pretty well known throughout the
the
Captain
and I think that
Patrol
with
contact
in
came
you
that
people
of
Garris?
RG:
Well,
I
the
enjoyed
and
I
didn't
but
hated
time
to
particularly
I
after
opportunity
was
to
that
spent
awhile,
a
lot
in
of
of
I
that
fine
it
people
left
I
that
the ones
enjoyed
areas
different
these
them
go to
want to
there
meet
I
everyone
leave
to get along with them and
I liked
I liked people and
I
I went
to,
had
the
do
the
and
and
and
I
I'd
same thing again if I had to do it over.
JR:
You had no qualms about the career path that you chose?
RG:
No.
JR:
You
retired
from
the
then
Patrol
in
October
1988
and
from
there where did you go?
RG:
Actually
it was
Governor's
particular
was
changed
the
Highway
time
into
was
end
of
October 1978,
Safety
under
Community
56
the
Commission
Governor's
Affairs
and
which
office,
Department
the
I went to
and
at
that
then
I was
it
a
with
planner
Highway
engineers
and
everything
and
And
RG:
Back
from there
as
Highway
federal
you went
Safety
Motor
and
and
about
state
funds.
and
of
police
the
state,
offices
to control
here at this time.
Very
good.
Garris
FHP Division
Vehicles
15
May
still
Cookie
within
It
was
to
and
and
an
it
was
enjoyable
to
with
Something
Captain Garris,
RG:
had the whole
a civilian
specialist
JR:
we
sorts
sheriffs
departments,
promoted
administered
we
all
for
was
I spent about five and a half years with them.
time too,
JR:
police
program with
federal
and
I
departments
safety
and
then
and
grants
federal
departments
first
Administrator
Safety
developed
a
at
them
that
of
I
in
as
"84
did
the
a
I
Department
management
came
not
ask
back
you
of
review
and
I'm
earlier
you are married to whom?
and
I
have
a
stepdaughter,
years old.
JR:
And your wife is
RG:
She is
JR:
Her date of birth?
from where?
from Monticello originally.
57
Nicki
who
is
16
in September.
RG:
She was born in "54
JR:
Your stepdaughter's age today is?
RG:
She is 16 and will be 17 her next birthday.
JR:
She goes to school?
RG:
North Florida Christian School
in Tallahassee and
she
is a
cheerleader among other things and soft ball player.
JR:
And you are a big part of that too from what I understand?
RG:
Yes.
JR:
Captain
Garris,
is
there
anything
else
now
that
can
you
think of before we conclude this interview.
RG:
There was only one other memorable time that
my
memory
Marathon
that
during
the
in Monroe County,
in
time
the
in
Key
stands out
West
latter part of
rather
"60,
in
in
when
Donna, the hurricane came through, and that was a traumatic
time
was
for about
four
days
or
more
and
Johnny
Hicks
again,
the first sergeant in Miami, he came down to stay with
me during that time and there were nine of us in the little
Patrol station during the heighth of the storm which got up
close to 200 miles per hour.
58
We thought we would never see
daylight again. - It
was
over
and
the
next day,
the
I
Simmons,
probably
eat
to
that
At
zone.
a war
washed out and
Navy had
to set up soup
the
at
what
and myself and
Hicks
Clifton
and
in
down
was
310
to
while we
came back
shower and a little rest and
went to Miami, got a
he
the
there
stayed
they
like
was,
rank
his
flew
time,
that
Colonel
time,
particular
looked
it
next morning,
the
in
forgotten
have
inspector
Johnny
see
us
for
it
when
zone
bridges were
they had to fly in water to us,
kitchens
a war
like
looked
really
in the airplane.
JR:
How many troopers were on that detail, do you recall?
RG:
They
sent
there was
north
the
probably
extra
ones
about, we
had a
couple of extra
a
we
end,
12
about
a
had
during
the
few
us
couple
in
on
Islamorada
there
was
we
had
who
including
altogether
people
in
Largo,
Key
probably
storm,
stationed there which would have been about 5 people.
JR:
Were there any loss of life as a result of the hurricane?
RG:
If
and
I'm
an
not
mistaken,
amount
untold
poles,
tornados
runway
of
the
bridge
was
if
there
damages.
the
airport,
took a car to go as
first
of
within
of the highway and
think
I
storm,
there
were
were
It
five people
twisted
were
there
big
boats
off
washed
north
as we
could
to
out,
we had
four
flat
we got there.
59
telephone
sharks on
in
I'm not mistaken, I think
far
killed
the
the
middle
Hicks and
see where
tires
I
the
before
JR:
From nails and debris?
RG:
We were driving on four flats when we got there.
JR:
Anything else Captain Garris?
RG:
No, I think that's about it.
JR:
Well, on behalf of Director Burkett, let me
you
so
much
history of
took
and
the
place
certainly
for
sharing
Patrol
during
have
I apprecite
as you
your
made
a
with
us
your
saw
tenure
it
contribution
the
the
to
say
thoughts
and
with
just
the
thank
and
events
Patrol.
Highway
the
that
You
Patrol
the opportunity to have been the person to
have interviewed you.
RG:
Since
you
name,
it reminds me that
started
bring
as
a
station there
was
stationed
was
the
troopers
up
DL
Colonel
Burkett
Director
Burkett's
in Fort Myers I was there when he
examiner,
he
had
worked
at
a
service
and was a DL examiner during the time
there
when
Simmons
sergeant
and
there
I remember
and
Sutton
and clean and did things right.
JR:
or
What year was this, Captain?
60
was
and
he
lieutenant,
myself
was
were
meticulous
that I
Kaufman
the
and
two
neat
RG:
That was probably
JR:
And he
RG:
As the Director of
JR:
And his full name?
RG:
Bobby R. Burkett.
JR:
Very good.
in 1954
is today serving
somewhere along in
there.
in what capacity?
the Florida Highway Patrol Division.
Anything else Captain Garris?
This will conclude the interview and thank you so much.
/par
61