A Time Forgotten
Phillip Kidd, a retired Assistant Communications Director with the Mississippi Highway Patrol, has recently restored a 1970’s era MHP patrol car. The project started June 10, 2019 and was completed, with a little delay, due to a few repairs, on September 15, 2019. Phillip’s father, Harold D. Kidd, started his career as a State Trooper in 1952 and retired with the rank of Lieutenant, serving all his time in District 3. Phillip used his father’s old MHP car tags and other gear to make a personal touch on his restoration. The patrol car is equipped with multiple magnetic decals to change up the look for different events, such as a North Pole Sheriff and Santa Patrol decals, perfect for Christmas parades.
When asked why he decided to restore this vehicle, Phillip replied, “I have a collection of the lights MHP has used over the years and was going to take the collection to the retirees meeting. I came across this car on the internet and thought it would be cool to make a replica 70’s patrol car, especially since the patrol did not have a car of this era in the museum. The Twinsonic bar light was always my favorite light. Preserving history and keeping memories alive for the retirees is the most fun. Also showing the younger generation of Troopers what their predecessors had to work with.”
According to Phillip, when the Troopers were using these patrol cars, the shop would produce four a day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
With so many changes with the Mississippi Highway Patrol since the 1970’s, it is always nice to slow down time and remember were we have come from. A time forgotten can always be remembered with just a little help and passion from people like Phillip Kidd. Thank you for letting us share your story and learn our history.
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