INTERVIEWS WITH N. C. HIGHWAY PATROL RETIREES
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Interview with Retired Major M. T. James
I am a native of Stokes County and grew up in King, NC. I graduated from South Stokes High School in 1977. I received a B. S. Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina Charlotte in 1981. I also attended Northwestern University for 9 months and received a diploma in Police Training in 1990. My first job after high school was harvesting tobacco. At one point I filled a whole barn with tobacco by myself. I also worked as a janitor at Hanes Hosiery, Winston-Salem, NC. Another job was an attendant at an Exxon Station in King, NC. This job allowed me to interact with the public which I really enjoyed.
After graduating from UNCC I applied to the NC Highway Patrol and was accepted. I attended the 69th Basic Patrol School. Upon graduation, I was assigned to Troop C, District 3, Raleigh as a Trooper. I was promoted to Sergeant in 1988 and assigned to Wilson, NC. I worked Wilson and Greene counties. There were a lot of trips between Wilson and Snow Hill to run breathalyzer test. While in this area I learned to like Eastern Style BBQ.
In 1992, I transferred to Charlotte, NC as a Sergeant to be closer to family. I was promoted to First/Sergeant in 1994 and assigned to Gaston County. In 1998, I was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to Troop G, Asheville, NC. In 2003, I was promoted to Captain and assigned as Commander of Troop F, Newton, NC. This is a great location and is one of the Patrol's best-kept secrets. In 2005, I transferred back to Asheville, NC, Troop G, where I remained until 2005 at which time I was promoted to the rank of Major. I retired in 2009 while serving as the Director of Troop Operations.
During my career I had the opportunity to meet Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and George H. W. Bush. I also met many governors. and other dignitaries. It was my honor to meet Rev. Billy Graham. My greatest honor was working with the many troopers that I love and respect. Recently the Patrol has experienced some difficult times. I challenge all active and retired troopers to hold your head high. The Troopers serving now and in the past are the finest our great state has to offer. For the active, stay safe and enjoy your time on the Patrol. In the blink of an eye your active time will pass and then you will be able to enjoy retirement as I am now doing. If you are like the other retirees, you will still get a lump in your throat when you see the gray uniform and the beauty of the black and silver cars as they pass by on the roads of North Carolina.
May God bless the North Carolina Highway Patrol and safeguard the Troopers.
Retired Major M. T. James
Posted by Retired Trooper. Harold D. Coley
December 1, 2011
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(Above is Retired Sergeant C. R. Kirkman and his wife Ms. Lillie Mae Kirkman).
Interview with Retired Sergeant C. R. Kirkman
In November 1947, the North Carolina Highway Patrol graduated its second class with Trooper C. R. Kirkman as one of the 122 graduates. Times were quite different for Trooper C.R. Kirkman as he remembers bringing home $155.00 a month as D446. Anson County was where he first called home as he rented a two-room house with his wife Lillie Mae.
Kirkman was born March 7, 1923 in Randolph County. His first career was in a hosiery mill knitting stockings. On Christmas Eve in 1942, he was drafted into the Army where he was inducted into the Army Air Corps after basic training. The Army moved him from Miami to Nebraska where he was assigned to the 451st Bomb Squad. In 1945, Kirkman came out of the Army to return to Randolph County in hopes of working in the hosiery mill, but the mill did not have a job for him at the time. Kirkman was married on June 28, 1947, and it was his wife Lillie Mae who encouraged him to join the NC Highway Patrol.When Kirkman graduated from patrol school, he did not have a uniform, and he carried a 38 Model 10 gun. He did receive a new 1948 Buick for a patrol car and uniforms were soon to arrive.
During his career he recalls many great memories like in 1962 a B-52 Bomber crashed with only two survivors. They found a parachute with only half a person, and they set up a landing field for a helicopter. He also recalls driving Governor Scott’s mother during the inauguration festivities. Dancing at the Governor Hunt’s ball was a great moment as well. Times were tough as he did survive several scuffles during his time on the patrol. People in the community would often call the house and report calls so Mrs. Kirkman would call the Greensboro station for the community. Conduct was very important as a trooper, and he said it was always an honor to wear the Highway Patrol uniform. He also remembers how the Solicitor would brag on him for the way he had his cases prepared for court. The Kirkmans recall that they lived a good life on the patrol.
Davidson County was the second duty station for Sgt. Kirkman in 1950 until he was promoted to Line Sergeant in 1969, and he moved to Rockingham County under the direction of First Sgt. Barefoot. Sgt. Kirkman’s career moves took him back to Davidson County in 1974 until 1978 when he moved to Rockingham County. It was on December 31, 1984 when retirement came from the Highway Patrol for Sgt. Kirkman.
After completing 37 years of service with the N.C. Highway Patrol, Sgt. Kirkman continued to work with the people in his community who respected him and voted him in as their mayor for 16 years. He also taught driver’s education in his community. Between all of his careers, he has completed 61 years of service. In his personal life, family was and still is a priority as he is a husband to Lillie Mae for 64 years in June and a father of two sons Mark and Jeff along with a stepson William who has passed away. Jeff followed in his father footsteps in the North Carolina Highway Patrol retiring as a sergeant as well. Sgt. Kirkman stated that “it was always an honor to wear the uniform”, but it is an honor for all of us to have him serve us in the fashion that he did.
Thank you Retired Sergeant C. R. Kirkman and Ms. Lillie Mae Kirkman for your duty and service to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and to the citizens she serves.
Respectfully Submitted by;
Master Trooper Kevin Hennelly
Troop E Traffic Safety Information Officer
December 3, 2011
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TROOP H
Interview with Retired Trooper Michael Reavis
Retired Trooper Michael Reavis grew up in Rowan County. Trooper Reavis graduated from East Rowan High School. He served in the Army Reserves from 1969 to 1972 and the National Guard from 1972 to 1975. Before joining the North Carolina State Highway Patrol he worked for the Long Meadow Farm.
When asked what influenced him to apply for the Patrol, Reavis responded, “My brother-in-law, Donald Ray Leazer (Retired First Sergeant), was a trooper in Raleigh, he talked about how much he enjoyed being a Trooper and he advised me that I might want to become a Trooper.”
Michael Reavis was accepted and reported to the 51st Session of Basic Patrol Training School of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. This class was held at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. First Sergeant C. D. Fox (Retired Captain C. D. Fox) was the commandant of the class and the assistant commandant was Line Sergeant S. K. Johnson (Deceased).
Trooper Reavis's first and only duty station was Cleveland County. His training officer was Gary E. Mull (Retired First Sergeant Mull). Retired Trooper Reavis was known for his excellence in teaching high speed driving and radiological monitoring at the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Training Academy.
Thank you Retired Trooper Michael Reavis for your years of dedicated service to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and to the citizens she protects and serves
Respectfully submitted by;
State Trooper Mark Helms
Troop H Traffic Safety Information Officer
20 December 2011
Retired Trooper Michael Reavis