Longest-Serving Female with Florida Highway Patrol Signs Off for Final Time After 36 Years
Many people choose a career based on what field seems the most lucrative or what line of work supports their passions, but some of the most effective people choose a career based on a problem they see that they know they can fix.
That was the case for Master Trooper Barbara Ehrhart, who at 21 years old realized what it was she could do, according to WTVT. And that realization was jump-started by a rather unpleasant encounter.
“I got stopped on Thanksgiving morning for speeding by a trooper on I-275 in St. Pete,” she said. “He was so rude and so mean. I thought to myself, I thought I could do something better than that. I could do that. I think if you treat people the way you’d like to be treated it would be a better place to live.”
With that as her mantra, she joined the force, and she’s been at it for 36 years — stopping crime and treating people with the respect she feels they deserve.
“That’s all I’ve wanted to do, is just better myself and I tell the people that I’ve trained over the years,” she said. “I just tell everybody to keep an upbeat attitude about everything and keep going.”
Seeing a female officer may not be so startling now, but nearly 40 years ago? Completely different story. What Ehrhart did was revolutionary, and a lot of people weren’t ready for it.
“People looked at me like, ‘What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be doing this,'” Ehrhart said. “It’s gotten better and I think more people are open to females being in law enforcement.”
A lot of good things have come from her time as a trooper. For one, she met her husband on the job — a great way to ensure your significant other approves of your profession and understands your daily struggles.
“I remember a foot chase with my husband before we got married,” she said, “that he tackled a man on the ditch and got green slime all over him.”
According to a tweet from the Florida Highway Patrol, Ehrhart is the “longest current serving female trooper,” and after 36 years of serving her community, she signed off for the last time.
“This will be my final 10-42,” she says, as heard in the video the FHP posted. “I want to thank the Florida Highway Patrol for over 36 years of service … I hope that I’ve encouraged other women throughout the years that may have entered law enforcement or those that are thinking about entering law enforcement.”
BREAKING FHP NEWS! After 36 years w/ the Florida Highway Patrol, longest current serving female Trooper Barbara Ehrhart signs off for the final time!
Trooper Ehrhart served her entire career in Manatee Co & has been an inspiration to us all! Enjoy your retirement! #FHP ? pic.twitter.com/PFAW9UZc1p— FHP SWFL (@FHPSWFL) July 30, 2019
“Trooper Barbara Ehrhart, thank you for your 36 years of dedicated service to the Florida Highway Patrol, the residents of Manatee County and the citizens of the great state of Florida,” came the response.
When asked what she’ll miss the most, Ehrhart revealed that the person-to-person contact, especially during emotionally vulnerable situations, will be the hardest to let go.
“I just remember the people I helped the most, working traffic fatalities, letting them know someone they loved was killed,” she reminisced. “I try to remember how I would feel if someone had to tell me that. That’s why I tried to be very empathetic with them and try to do what I can do for them. I could not have asked for a better career in my life. I’m going to miss it.”
Ehrhart won’t be leaving the Florida Highway Patrol family for good, though, as she will be joining the auxiliary unit alongside her husband, who serves as its captain.
No doubt the empathy and respect that led Ehrhart to this line of work in the first place will continue to make her a blessing in the lives of those around her during her retirement. Enjoy your well-earned rest, Ehrhart!
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