Paul E. Ebbert

1907 - 1957

Joined the force in 1935

Photo taken by Trooper R. Boone at State House Complex on June 13, 1938

On June 13, 1938, Trooper Paul Ebbert was told to go home, put on a dress uniform and return to the Capitol as soon as possible. He thought he was to escort Governor Holt on an out of state trip. Instead, because at 6'3", he was West Virginia's tallest trooper, he was to be photographed.

From this photo image, plywood troopers were made, painted and distributed in pairs to elementary schools in all 55 counties of West Virginia. These wooden troopers had lettering on the front that said, "SLOW, SCHOOL ZONE" 15 m.p.h.. The back had black and white stripes and said, "RESUME SPEED, THANK YOU, THE STATE ROAD COMMISSION OF WV."

To the bottom of each of these wooden troopers was affixed a metal pipe that would either fit over another pipe or into a hole drilled into the center of the highway. Morning and evening, and sometimes at noon, a wooden trooper was placed by a Patrol Student at each end of the school zone facing upcoming traffic. These wooden sentinals stood guard, advising motorists to drive slowly and with caution. When not in use, the troopers were stored in the school house, usually in what was called the "cloak room".

Trooper Ebbert patrolled Rt. 21 from Charleston to the Jackson County line and made friends, especially with children.

In 1957, Trooper Ebbert was promoted to First Sergeant and transferred to Company A, Shinnston, West Virginia, where he had a massive heart attack and died at the age of 50. He is burried in the McGuire Cemetery, Weston, West Virginia.

His wife, Imogene Wolfe Ebbert (a sister to Bert Wolfe of Bert Wolfe Ford) is still living in Maryland and is 88 in this year of 1999. Trooper Ebbert is also survived by two sons, two daughters and nine grandchildren. Mrs. Ebbert and family were most gracious in donating the photograph and supplying the vital information.

June 20, 1999 - Researched and donated by Charles R. Wheeler, Cross Lanes, WV, with the assistance of the following people: Tim Fletcher, Cliff Eary, Jeff Lanham, Dave Smith and Trooper Donnie Frye, Painting of the Trooper by Kevin Gillespie. This article was written by Carolyn Sue Ferguson as told by Charlie Wheeler.