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Florida's Longest-Serving Female State Trooper Signs Off After 36 Years

The longest-serving female trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) delivered a heartfelt message to the agency during her final sign-off on July 30 after a 36-year career.

“I want to thank all of the friends I have made throughout the years and anyone that I have trained – I hope that I was an influence to them,” Master Trooper Barbara Ehrhart said over the radio. “And I want to thank my family for staying by my side for all these years. And I will be 10-42,” she said, referring to the police code for “ending tour of duty.”

She also thanked Florida and Manatee County residents during her final radio call. Ehrhart began her career on March 21, 1983, and spent all of it working in Florida’s Manatee County, FHP Lt. Gregory Bueno told Storyful.

During her career, Ehrhart responded to areas affected by natural disasters, led the all-volunteer Troop F FHP North District Auxiliary Unit, served as a member of the Critical Incident Debriefing Team, and represented the agency at the 2016 presidential inauguration in Washington, Bueno said.

As she signed off in the parking lot of the FHP’s Bradenton office, Ehrhart made a point to recognize other women in law enforcement.

“I also hope that I have encouraged other women throughout my years that may have entered law enforcement and those that are thinking about entering law enforcement,” she said.

Ehrhart also served as a counselor at Florida Girls State, a program that aims to teach high school girls about government and politics.

“For decades, [Ehrhart] established herself as a role model, mentor, and source of advice to hundreds of young troopers and citizens alike,” Bueno said.

Bueno said Ehrhart planned to join the FHP Reserves and spend time at a vacation home in North Carolina. Credit: Florida Highway Patrol via Storyful