102-Year-Old Retired Trooper Reunites With 1940 Police Wagon

102-year-old Captain Howard West Sitting in a 1940 Police Wagon at the Puyallup Fair

102-year-old Howard West began his Washington State Patrol career in 1947 as a vehicle safety inspector in Seattle. He retired as a Patrol Captain more than 30 years later.

In a recent interview, he expressed the desire to see and sit in the vintage 1940 Ford Police Wagon on display in the WSP Exhibit at the State Fair.

Captain West with Chief Batiste

On Tuesday, the State Patrol arranged to have Captain West visit and reconnect with the vehicle, similar to those he drove in the early days of his career.

Howard’s Background:

Howard was born in Washington D.C. on June 11, 1922.

He graduated from Western High School in Washington D.C. and served in the U.S. Navy from November 1942 to May 1945 in the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron #11 and held the following ranks:

Apprentice Seaman; Seaman Second and First Class; Torpedoman Third, Second, and First Class.

• On May 27, 1947, Howard began his career with the Washington State Patrol as a Vehicle Safety Inspector in Seattle.
• On April 1, 1949, Howard promoted to a Clerk in Seattle
• On October 1, 1950, Howard promoted to Driver License Examiner 1 in Seattle.
• On November 1, 1950, Howard graduated from the 15th Training Class and was commissioned as a Patrolman in Spokane.
• On May 1, 1957, Howard promoted to Sergeant in Spokane.
• On September 1, 1962, Howard transferred to Tacoma.
• On August 1, 1968, Howard promoted to Lieutenant in Tacoma.
• In April 1969, Howard attended Law Enforcement Management School.
• On April 1, 1973, Howard transferred to VIN in Olympia.
• In July 1973, Howard received the Safe Driving Award.
• On March 1, 1974, Howard promoted to Captain assigned to VIN in Olympia.
• On March 15, 1974, Howard transferred to VIN Westside Coordinator.
• On January 31, 1978, Howard retired after serving over 30 years of dedicated service to the Washington State Patrol and to the citizens of the State of Washington receiving his letter from Governor Dixy Lee Ray.

And now, at the age of 102, Howard reunited with a 1940 Ford Police Wagon, or “Paddy Wagon,” at the Puyallup State Fair.