Henry Ford’s Model A was the standard patrol vehicle in the winter. Patrolmen exchanged milk cans full of hot water for heat.

In the spring, summer, and early fall, troopers patrolled on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which they were required to supply themselves.

The early years of the patrol were spent on “goodwill work” — courtesy patrols to help motorists in difficulty. Enforcement was mostly limited to warnings.

Officers worked 12-16 hours per day, seven days per week, with one day off per month for a maximum pay of $150 per month.

Chief Brown almost lost his job when he and another highway patrol officer chased and subsequently arrested three individuals who had robbed the Elk River bank. "We were reprimanded for following them off of the trunk highway before making the arrest," Brown remembered.

First patrolman killed in the line of duty: William Kozlak.

Patrol was authorized to enforce speed limits on trunk highways.

Many motorists arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (despite Prohibition). The DWI cases were written up as “careless driving.”

The original trooper uniform — long gray coat, riding boots, gray knee-high pants and eight-corner hat — was replaced by maroon and gold uniforms. The change was made to honor the University of Minnesota football national championship team.

Motorcycles retired from patrol fleet.

Black squad cars replaced with maroon cars with white doors.

Safety Education Officers (now known as Public Information Officers) are assigned in each District to help educate people on traffic safety issues.

Officer Bill O'Brien saves a driver from a burning vehicle after a car-train collision. Officer O'Brien receives the Patrol's first Meritorious Service award.

The first helicopter is purchased to enhance traffic enforcement.

With the increased jurisdiction in 1971, the Highway Patrol changed its name to the State Patrol, officers were now called troopers, and the uniform hat was changed to the widely recognized campaign hat.

First women troopers join the State Patrol.

The patrol Commercial Vehicle Division is formed; tasked with compliance and enforcement regarding commercial vehicles on Minnesota roadways."

Project 20 sees 20 new troopers hired and funded by the federal government for the sole purpose of enforcing the new 55 MPH national speed limit.

The Special Response Team is established to respond to incidents on state property.

Anne Beers is promoted to Colonel of the State Patrol; the first female head of a state police agency in the U.S.

The I-35W bridge in Minneapolis collapses, killing 13 and injuring 145 people. The State Patrol was instrumental in assisting with the reconstruction of the incident.

Motorcycles return for metro freeway traffic enforcement.  Five Motor Troopers were used for five years before being retired.

The State Patrol consolidates its dispatch centers to two cities, Roseville and Rochester.

Minnesota hosts two large-scale events with tremendous collaboration from law enforcement agencies: Super Bowl LII (2018) and the NCAA Men's Final Four basketball tournament (2019).

The hands-free cell phone law goes into effect in Minnesota on Aug. 1, 2019.

The State Patrol updates its logo to reflect a modernized design while honoring its tradition of service and commitment to public safety.