In 1993, the Ohio State Highway Patrol produced a history book as a part of its 60th Anniversary celebration. That book, now out of print and no longer available, has been converted into several Web pages.

Table of Contents

Biographical information

Significant Incidents

In Ohio, bills to form a state-based police force were introduced on several occasions, beginning in 1917. Senator Henry W. Davis, 23rd District (Mahoning and Trumbull Counties), introduced bills to create a "Department of State Police" in 1917 and 1919. Both were unable to overcome labor opposition and a general consensus that the main problem this "state police" would address (namely internal subversion by German and communist agents) was only temporary. A virtual rewrite of the Davis Bills were introduced by Representative Justin Harding, Warren County, in 1921, calling for a "rural state police force." Citing violent labor activity which occurred in late 1919, supporters paraded a host of luminaries before the legislature to speak in favor of the measure, including the superintendent of the Pennsylvania State Police. Again, support was insufficient to overcome labor concerns, and the House voted the measure down by a 45 -- 60 margin.

In the 1920s, support for a uniform state police force continued to grow. In 1923, an initiative to create a "Highway Police Force" was introduced, but was only one section of a larger bill. The Committee on Highways substituted the "Highway Police Force" provision with one to pay sheriffs additional money to hire deputies for highway duty. Other measures proposed during this time offered compromises, including: a police force with limited powers; committees rather than a single man to oversee the department; and no power in labor disputes. Each was defeated for reasons such as organized labor opposition, cost concerns, disagreements among supporters on how to set up and operate the force, and the opposition of Governor Vic Donahey.

Supporters of a bill to create a "Division of Public Safety" under the Department of Commerce in 1929 cited the general issue of crime in Ohio and the argument that Ohio was becoming known as a safe haven for criminals. This bill passed the Senate, but died in the House. Another bill calling for the formation of a "safety police" was introduced in 1931, but it died in committee due to the cost.

With each failure to create a uniform state policing authority, support was substantially increased. An increasingly mobile society was becoming more than traditional law enforcement could keep up with, especially in the area of traffic control. The reelection of Governor George White and sweeping Democratic victories throughout the state were read as a mandate for major changes. The support of Governor White for a state law enforcement agency made the creation of such a force inevitable.

In 1933, the 90th General Assembly considered the Bill which eventually created the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Introduced by Representative Hugh A. McNamee, Cuyahoga County, HB 270 outlined a highway patrol which would enforce: state laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles; laws relating to motor vehicle use and operation on the highways; and all laws for the protection of highways. Very important to the passage of the bill was a provision prohibiting use of the Patrol in labor disputes and strikes. The bill also stipulated that the force would be limited to 60 officers who were between the ages of 24 and 40 years and placed under a $2,500 performance bond.

The driving forces behind the Highway Patrol proposal were O. W. "Whitey" Merrell, director of the Department of Highways, and Harry Neal, head of the department's Traffic Bureau. Merrell ardently supported the new force, citing the avoidance of vehicle licensing fees, overloading of commercial trucks, and the need for standardized enforcement procedures. Neal, who is believed to be the author of HB270, was the man most directly concerned with the problems of safety and enforcement. In the end, Merrell became known as the "granddaddy" of the Ohio Highway Patrol, Neal the "secret founder."

On February 28, 1933, HB 270 was passed in the Ohio House of Representatives by a vote of 87-35. The Senate passed the measure without change one month later, on March 28. A companion bill, HB 271, which transferred the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to the Highway Department, cleared both houses on March 30. That same day -- Thursday, March 30 -- Governor White signed both bills, to be effective June 30.

The actual creation of the Patrol had but one final hurdle to clear -- a proposed referendum to nullify HB270 and HB 271. Though enough signatures were collected to place the matter on the November ballot, the referendum was halted by the Ohio Supreme Court on a procedural technicality -- both bills were considered on a single petition. The Court issued a writ barring the referendum, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol was finally born.

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