Troop G History

Louisiana State Police Troop G, created on the slogan of "Courtesy, Loyalty, and Service," was established in the early 1940's and conveniently located at the intersection of US 80 (East Texas Street) and LA 3 (Benton Road) in Bossier Parish. At that time, the Troop was located just outside the city limits of Bossier City, LA. Troop G, under the command of Captain J. P. Greer of Haynesville, Louisiana, encompassed a five parish area that included Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, and Red River. Troop G was staffed with one (1) Captain, one (1) Lieutenant, four (4) Sergeants, twelve (12) troopers and three (3) radio dispatchers. During this historic era, troopers purchased their own duty weapons and used automobiles and Harley Davidson motorcycles for patrol. Due to the unified command, Troop G troopers set out to pursue its newly birthed mission of ensuring the public's safety on all Louisiana highways.

In 1958 Troop G, under the administration of Governor Earl K. Long, relocated to US 71 (Barksdale Blvd) just south of Interstate 20 in Bossier City. During this time Troop G was under the command of Captain Douglas L. Durette of Winnfield, LA.

In 1977, Troop G, under the administration of Governor Edwin W. Edwards, relocated to its newly constructed building with a two bay mechanic shop on Industrial Drive Ext, in Bossier City. Consequently, the new location made Troop G easily accessible off of Interstate 20 (exit 23). Presently, Troop G is still located at the 5300 Industrial Drive Ext., in Bossier City where troopers are continuing to provide noteworthy service to everyone who lives and visits in the Troop G area. Still today, Troop G remains a key component of the public safety family through its proud partnerships shared with area law enforcement and safety advocates.

Historic Events in Troop G

On April 3, 1955, a historic traffic stop was made in Troop G when Trooper Nolan Strange #262, stopped Elvis Presley, on US 171 in Caddo Parish, for speeding. Elvis Presley, who was 20-years-old at the time, was stopped for traveling 80 in a 60 miles per hour (mph) speed zone while operating a 1954 pink and white Cadillac. Elvis Presley was taken into custody and carried to the Caddo Parish Jail where he posted a bond of $25.00 for traveling 20 mph over the speed limit. Today, drivers are required to either surrender their driver's license or post bond if they are stopped for traveling in excess of 25 mph over the posted speed limit.

Troop G Memorial

Officer Neil A. Yarbrough, Sr., E.O.W. January 25, 1925

Officer Neill A. Yarbrough, Sr. was the first State Highway Officer to be killed in the line of duty. Yarbrough, who was a dual commissioned officer through the State of Louisiana and Bossier Parish, received a call to assist with a fleeing fugitive from Caddo Parish on January 25, 1925. The escapee was subsequently located in a house at Buckhall Plantation in Bossier Parish which was immediately surrounded by officers. Officer Yarbrough was positioned in the rear to cover the back door. Shortly after officers knocked on the front door, the escapee ran out of the back door where he located Officer Yarbrough and immediately opened fire on him with a .45 caliber handgun. Officer Yarbrough died minutes later of a bullet wound near his heart.

The escapee was captured the next day at a cabin located approximately 1.5 miles away from Buckhall Plantation. After being shot twice by deputies for trying to flee, the escapee was lynched and riddled with bullets by a mob before deputies could transport him to the Benton jail. At the time of Officer Yarbrough's death, he was 32-yesr-old and had been employed as a State Highway Officer for three (3) months.

Trooper Huey P. Grace, Troop G, Bossier City E.O.W. October 30, 1968

On October 30, 1968, Trooper Huey P. Grace, who died as a result of a traffic crash, made the second officer to be killed in the line of duty in the Troop G area.

At approximately 12:17 a.m. on the aforementioned date, Trooper Grace attempted to stop three vehicles; a Camaro and two Chevy vehicles that were suspected of drag racing on I-20. The vehicles, which all refused to stop, took the Flournoy Lucas (US 80) exit and then went in separate directions. Trooper Grace continued to pursue one of the two Chevy vehicles that tried aggressively to outrun him.

After turning onto Woodworth Road from Flournoy Lucas, the pursuit ended seven miles later when the Chevy vehicle ran off the roadway and struck the left side of a bridge which knocked down the entire bridge railing.  The vehicle continued across the bridge and down into a ditch where it came to rest against a tree.

Trooper Grace, who was seconds behind, entered the bridge and applied his brakes prompting the rear of the vehicle to skid. Trooper Grace’s patrol car slid off the roadway sideways down into a ditch and overturned. Trooper Grace was killed instantly as his head and shoulders were wedged between the top of the patrol car and the ground.

The driver of the Chevy was charged with negligent homicide and reckless operation of a vehicle. On February 14, 1969, in the First Judicial District of Caddo Parish, the charges were Nolle Pross.

At the time of Trooper Huey P. Grace’s death, he was 36-years-old and had been a Trooper for five years, one month and twenty-six days.

Troop G Captains

Beginning from the early 1940’s and until now, 13 captains have served honorably as the Commander of Troop G; two of which advanced even further within the ranks and became Deputy Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Superintendent of State Police.

1. Captain J. P. Greer of Haynesville, LA
2. Captain Douglas Durette of Winnfield, LA
3. Captain Wayne Morgan of Eldorado, AR
4. Captain Louis Yarbrough of Shreveport, LA
5. Captain Ralph Powers of Baton Rouge, LA
6. Captain Marlin Flores of Saline, LA (1988, was sworn in as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Superintendent of State Police)
7. Captain Richard Hollis of Bossier City, LA
8. Captain Harold Carpenter of Shreveport, LA
9. Captain Henry Whitehorne of Shreveport, LA (2004, was sworn in as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Superintendent of State Police.)
10. Captain Ted Lowery of Bossier City, LA
11. Captain Ronald Whitaker of Hammond, LA
12. Captain Tommy Madden of Shreveport, LA
13. *Captain Steve Robinson of Bossier City (Current Troop G Commander as of May 6, 2016.)

Today, Troop G, under the command of Captain Steve Robinson, encompasses a seven parish area in the northwest portion of the state surrounding Greater Shreveport. Troop G troopers currently patrol over 8,000 highway miles with news roads and overpasses being constructed each year. Staffing at Troop G currently consists of one (1) Captain, six (6) Lieutenants, nine (9) Sergeants, twenty-six (26) Troopers, three (3) Communication Officers, two (2) Administrative Assistants, and one (1) certified Master Mechanic. Established in the early 1900's and continuing to today, our goal and mission still remains a precedence to ensure the safety and security of the people in the state of Louisiana through impartial enforcement, widespread educational programs, and other essential public safety services. Troop G have been tremendously effective and successful in changing driver behavior for all drivers as well as becoming an essential part of the community through valued and proud partnerships shared with local businesses, media outlets, and law enforcement agencies. Still today, Troop G is still viewed as the pinnacle of law enforcement due to being well equipped and well trained with a passion to serve with core values.

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