Motorcycles

motorcycle officer in yellow and black uniform seated on yellow motor

Lieutenant Elmer Craig commanded an elite motorcycle unit of the Tennessee Highway Patrol known as the "Yellow Jackets" and charged with lowering the traffic fatalities. Craig later served as Chief of the Patrol.

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11 motorcycle officer in a "V" formation

The Memphis Police Department Motorcycle Squad in 1925. At the point of the eleven member unit was Motorcycle Sergeant Hal V. Allen, commander of the squad.

motorcycle officer in service cap riding down street

Nashville Traffic Officer Tilford W. “Jelly” Drennon patrolling the streets circa 1920 as one of the department’s first motorcycle officers. Drennon later worked as cornerman at Fifth and Union for nearly 15 years before retiring after 20 years on the force.

Tennessee Highway Patrolman Chester Lee Hamby in April 1939, on his 25th birthday, a few days before he was paralyzed in an accident as he was on his way to the Peabody Hotel to escort Governor Prentice Cooper. Hamby served for many years as a justice of the peace in Roane County.

very tall officer standing by motorcycle

Highway Patrolman Greg O’Rear stood by his motor soon after joining the Tennessee Highway Patrol in 1939. When O’Rear was hired, he was asked by the governor if he could ride a motorcycle. O’Rear responded, “I think so, Governor, but if I can’t, I can tote it under my arm.”

motorcyle officer in leather coat with fur collar by motorcycle with canvas windshield

Highway Patrol officers rode motorcycles in all kinds of weather. Patrolman Willie West “Bill” Harmon and his motorcycle were outfitted for winter patrol duty. Harmon joined the Patrol in 1936. He was transferred to a car in 1940 after being injured in a motorcycle accident.

officer in soft cap on motorcycle in front of shrubs

Tennessee Highway Patrol Sergeant John Davis on patrol in 1934. Davis was one of the first members of the Patrol later became assistant chief of the Knoxville division. Emergency equipment on motorcycles included a red light on the left side of the handle bars and a white light on the right, and a friction siren.

3 troopers in yellow leather jackets and helmets on yellow motorcycles

Member of the elite Yellow Jackets motorcycle unit of the Tennessee Highway Patrol were all volunteers. The unit was formed in 1958. They wore leather jackets dyed yellow during cold weather. The unit only existed for six months, but officers continued to wear the special uniforms and yellow motorcycles for a number of years.

The most common mode of transportation for traffic officers prior to the second world war was the motorcycle. "Motors," as they were called my early patrol officer, required skill and agility to ride. Riding motorcycles was dangerous and resulted in death and serious injury to many officers.

blue circle patch with winged white helmet

Nashville traffic officers who rode three-wheelers in the fifties wore the shoulder patch on the left. The patch on the right was worn by members of the Chattanooga Police Department's Blue Lightning motorcycle unit in the seventies.

orange and blue shield patch with winged wheel and arrow

line of 11 motorcycle policemen in front of Nashville Parthanon

Members of the Tennessee State Police, predecessor of the Highway Patrol, in December 1928. State policemen were all assigned motorcycles, as were the first patrolmen of the Highway Patrol.