Hamilton Halford– Georgia State Patrol Sergeant and Perry Hangar Commander

The date October 15, 1987 will always be special to Perry resident and Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Sergeant and Perry Hanger Commander Hamilton Halford. That was the day he joined the Georgia State Patrol and forever changed his life and career. Halford joined the patrol right out of high school and hasn’t looked back.

“You will not find a better agency to go to work for,” he says. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my career and have been very fortunate throughout this time to have had the opportunity travel to see 45 states, Canada and Mexico.” A member of the Georgia State Patrol’s Aviation Unit, Halford had always dreamed of flying but did not realize he could accomplish that dream while also serving the community as a patrolman. “When I came on with the Georgia State Patrol in 1987 I did not know there was an aviation unit.” A chance encounter with an GSP helicopter pilot shifted his career goals into overdrive. “When a position became available I applied for the aviation unit,” says Halford who was required to have had five years of patrol service before being able to join any of the GSP special units. Currently an applicant would only need three years. “You’re still required to learn the nuts and bolts of the job,” says Halford.

During his tenure with the GSP Halford has worked as a radio operator and held the rank of corporal in addition to his current positions. “The Georgia State Patrol has been very, very good to me,” says Halford. “There’s not too many people that have retired from patrol that have had the opportunity to fly helicopters for the patrol, in that regard I have also been very fortunate.” Despite having years of flight experience under his belt Halford never takes off on a mission without calling his wife of a year and a half, Allison, “Before I go on any flight, whether it’s routine or an emergency flight I always take a minute to give her a call before I crank up,” says Halford. “She has always supported me in my career and for that I thank her as well,” he says of his longtime partner. “I tell everybody we dated for 43 days and she tells everybody nine years before we finally said I do.”

The GSP has a number of specialty units within its ranks but Halford isn’t thinking about transferring any time soon. “I’m happy where I’m at and technically I could retire but I want to see this hanger through.” His advice to anyone, locally or around the state, that’s thinking about joining the GSP he says, “I think the Georgia State Patrol is a great agency and is very diversified, there’s so many different directions you can go to once you get your foot in the door.” There’s no hiding his enthusiasm and pride in his job at it’s most basic level, “I’ll always be a trooper first and a pilot second.”

Halford contributes in his own way to the community and is proud of the city in which he serves. “Perry has so much potential and I’ve always been a supporter of this area,” said Halford.

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