Honor Guard

CREATION OF THE HONOR GUARD:

The Washington State Patrol Honor Guard was established in 1984 under a department plan devised by then Captain Edward Crawford, (Crawford would later become a deputy chief with the department).  Under this plan the Guard was to perform solely at department functions and funerals at the direction of the Chief.

At that time the Guard consisted of ten members who wore the department-issued, long-sleeved shirt with black bowtie, white gloves, and a white shoulder braid (these braids were hand-made by then Trooper Bill Larson). Captain Crawford was the original Honor Guard Commander, with Trooper William Larson as the original tactical commander.  The Honor Guard's first event was the presentation of the colors at the WSP Memorial Foundation Dinner in April 1985.

UNIFORM:

Chief George Tellevik and Captain Edward Crawford devised the original Honor Guard tunic, and the Guard began wearing it, in 1987.  It was originally developed for the department's executive staff to wear at formal functions. The accoutrements of the tunic were developed through numerous discussions with unit members and followed the dress uniform of the United States Marine Corps. The tunic was left without a sidearm due to the development of superior rifle drill movements in 1989.  Early in 2007, tunic design was reviewed by the Honor Guard Commander, Sergeant John-Paul Sager, and a panel consisting of Chief John Batiste, Deputy Chief Paul Beckley, and Assistant Chief Brian Ursino.  Breast pockets, action backs, additional buttons, and a more flexible material were added to increase longevity of wear, uniformity, and ease of movement.  The Honor Guard members were then polled and all voted in favor of the changes.  Other recent equipment and uniform changes include five Sam Browne Belts for the Detail Officers and the unit guidon (flag).

HISTORICAL TIMELINE: 

WHO WE ARE TODAY:

Currently the Honor Guard is commanded by Sergeant John-Paul Sager, a fifteen-year veteran of the elite unit. 

The unit was recently reorganized to include a Coordinator and five Detail Officers. The Honor Guard Coordinator, Trooper Erik Wickman, oversees the day-to-day operations of the Honor Guard, and works very closely with the Commander to ensure that the highest standards of efficiency and performance are maintained.  The Coordinator is also the Lead Detail Officer, and oversees the assigning of other Detail Officers as functions are approved.  The Detail Officers were developed and trained to provide additional leadership at functions, and to assist the Honor Guard Commander and Coordinator with training, staffing, and logistics. The current Detail Officers are Trooper Chad Hoff, Trooper Melissa Braaten, Trooper Brian Dorsey, Trooper Pete Stock.

The current Honor Guard roster includes:  Troopers Jimmy Craig, Mike Harmon,Tim Knopp, Joshua Merritt, Ian Morhous, William Rutherford, and Christian Wilson; Sergeant John Lizama, Sergeant Tim Coley, Sergeant Patti Lankford, Lieutenant Keith Huntley, Retired Captain Robert Veliz, and retired Troopers Craig Anders, Peter Ducre, and Jimmie Foster. 

Recently, due to the ever-increasing demands on the Rifle Team, a Rifle Committee was formed to oversee rifle training and development, with Trooper Pete Stock having been selected to serve as its Chairman. 

MOTTO: “DUTY and HONOR”

The Honor Guard Motto, implemented in 1999, embodies the reasons why each member volunteers and gives their best to the Guard at each performance and function.  When members send correspondence, or contact each other by phone, the communication frequently ends with “Duty and Honor!”  It is also used just prior to a performance to help focus all members on the task at hand, and remind them of why they’re there.  Those two words represent the core of the Honor Guard’s existence, and the very reasons for its creation.

JOIN US!

Membership in the Honor Guard creates career-long camaraderie with the other members and the opportunity to work with, and develop friendships withother police units throughout the United States and Canada. The Guard provides members with a career enhancement opportunity by allowing them to meet, and work alongside, the Executive Staff of the Agency.  This also helps train members in the critical areas of protocol and interpersonal skills as they prepare for promotion. Honor Guard members enjoy traveling across the state, and in some cases the nation, to various details and the chance to interact with notable dignitaries to include the President and Vice-President of the United States, U.S. Senators, International Dignitaries, State Governors, U.S. military general staff, movie and television celebrities, and many others, while representing state government and the agency. Members completing at least two years with the unit, in good standing, are presented with a personalized, plaque-mounted certificate for their devoted service.