Superintendents of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Colonel Lynn Black Superintendent, 1933 – 1944 Little is known about the early life In late 1931, a six-year-old of Lynn Ernest Black. According to the girl was found brutally assaulted best sources, he was born on October 9, and murdered in the basement of a 1897, in Glenville, West Virginia. He was Cincinnati tenement. The man who a member of a large family and probably discovered the body was considered had little formal schooling. the prime suspect, but investigators He joined the U.S. Navy during were unable to obtain sufficient ev- World War I and was a Fireman 1st Class idence or a confession after nearly at the time of his discharge. From there, a month of intensive questioning. It he worked as a payroll clerk with a mining was finally Black who, pretending company, then as a railroad fireman. Also to be arrested and severely beaten during this time, Black attained some de- by police, was able to convince the gree of success playing baseball with local killer to confess. semi-professional teams and later with The following year, Black Fairmont and Morgantown in the Mid-At- enjoyed considerable success in lantic League. cleaning up the tough river gangs of In January 1922, his younger brother, Cincinnati, broke up a major auto Lane Black of the West Virginia State theft ring, and located a wanted Police, was critically wounded in a gun murderer. Black’s career as a law- battle and not expected to live. Hoping man — as well as his life — nearly for retribution, Lynn Black and another came to an end when he was shot brother enlisted in the force. The brother leading a raid against a fugitive. Throughout his 11 years as super- was rejected, but Lynn, described as hav- In November 1932, a man wanted in the intendent, Colonel Black continued to ing blue eyes, light brown hair, and a fair killing of an Indiana sheriff was traced to publicly espouse his most fundamental complexion, was added to the ranks of the a residence in the Brown County town of principles — no political interference WVSP on February 24, 1922. Mt. Orab. with the inner workings of the division, Black served in the WVSP until Oc- Brown County Sheriff John Nue ap- no bullying or enforcement traps by his tober 24, 1924, when he was “discharged proached Lynn Black to obtain a machine force, and continued modernization and at his own request.” From there he served gun and tear gas for the raid, and Black, progress. He enjoyed traveling the state as a deputy sheriff in West Virginia, and along with three of his deputies, volun- with his beloved dog “Arthur,” who was later in St. Clairsville, Ohio. His first big teered to assist. Following an exchange of his constant companion. He was a popular opportunity came in 1927 when he helped gunfire, Black rushed the building, kicked public speaker, winning many friends with organize the Indian Hill Rangers. The open the door, and fired a tear gas canister his dry sense of humor. Rangers, founded by wealthy families into the house. As he stepped away from The dynamic era of Colonel Lynn to guard their neighborhood, are now a the door, he was hit in the groin by a single Black came to an end on April 26, 1944, regular police force. .38 caliber round. He staggered back to when a kidney ailment attributed to his During his tenure at Indian Hill, his patrol car, refusing to fall or sit down, 12-year-old gunshot wound ended his life Black caught the attention of Sheriff Asa saying only, “He shot me, boys.” Though at the age of 46. Among those at his bed- Butterfield of Hamilton County and, in hampered by a bout of double pneumonia side when he died was his brother Lane, 1931, he was appointed a captain in the during his convalescence, Black was back the very person whose critical wounding Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. Black on the job in less than two months. nearly 20 years earlier had inspired young commanded the “county patrol,” a per- It was with this background that Lynn Black to become a lawman. manent force of deputies who performed Captain Lynn Black took the helm of the The Flying Wheel magazine, which all types of police work but specialized Ohio State Highway Patrol on September went around the world to reach Patrol in traffic problems. Black motorized and 20, 1933. Two weeks after the official officers stationed in all theaters of the war, modernized his force, and was involved announcement of his appointment, Cap- reported: “We are his living memorial of in several high-profile cases, earning tain Black arrived at Camp Perry to begin a job well done. May his tradition be our considerable local fame for his cunning training the 125 Ohio State Highway standard.” and bravery. Patrol recruits. Superintendents of the Ohio State Highway Patrol 1 Colonel George Mingle Superintendent, 1944 – 1957 George Mingle was born August 16, progressed to Colonel Black’s second-in- 1899, in Indiana. Educated in Michigan, command, and was sent to Florida in the he completed the 11th grade before 1930s to assist in setting up a highway entering the U. S. Navy. patrol using Ohio as a model. Shortly after World War I, Colonel He assumed leadership of the Mingle moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Patrol at a very trying time. War needs where he served as a deputy sheriff and had depleted the Patrol’s ranks to 161 ran unsuccessfully for sheriff in the mid- officers, hardly enough to keep up 1920s. He applied for the new Highway with legislated tasks and extra wartime Patrol on April 13, 1933. Five months duties. With the help of the newly- later, the new recruit entered training at formed Highway Patrol Auxiliary, which Camp Perry. Colonel Mingle was instrumental in Colonel Mingle’s early record is forming, the Division was able to meet indicative of Colonel Black’s belief its responsibilities. that no one should become too familiar After his retirement in 1957, in any particular area of the state. He Colonel Mingle served as city manager was transferred five times before being for Portsmouth, Ohio, and later for Del efficiency, and fair dealing in the assigned to Columbus in November 1934. Ray, Florida. thinking of the people of Ohio. It is I The Colonel once remarked that he might In his farewell letter to the Patrol, receiving the plaudits – it is you who have quit had he not been able to settle in Mingle wrote, “You, by your devotion deserve them. The Patrol has been Columbus with his wife and young son. to duty, have made the Highway Patrol my life as it is yours. I hope you have While at Columbus, Colonel Mingle synonymous with honesty, courtesy, enjoyed it as fully as I.” Fred Moritz Superintendent, 1957 – 1959 Fred Moritz, known by friends superintendent for 24 years, handling the and associates as “Fritz,” was born and patrol’s administrative and legislative raised in Columbus. After attending matters, and serving as a troubleshooter Ohio Wesleyan University, The Ohio in the areas of finance and statistics. State University, and Franklin University Asked about his plans as superin- Law School, he accepted a position with tendent, Moritz said, “When you have the Ohio Department of Highways in the something that operates smoothly, why traffic division. change it?” Early in his career, he showed gen- During his tenure, the Patrol con- uine concern for traffic safety, a talent ducted research in 1957 to develop an for administration, and a sound working unbiased system which would allow knowledge of legislative matters. On supervisors to evaluate the performance these strengths, he became the first em- of the officers in their command — the ployee of the Highway Patrol, selected Diagnostic Forced Choice Personnel by Governor George White to assist Evaluation System. The Patrol began Highways Department Director O.W. using this grading method in 1958 and it Merrell in setting up the new force. became the basis of many such systems or assisted in any action or performance Sharing in the exciting task of orga- throughout the nation. of a distinguishing nature. O.W. Merrell nizing the Patrol, Moritz also participat- Superintendent Moritz also estab- Award winners, the Division’s highest ed as an instructor for the First Academy lished the Superintendent’s Citation of honor for valor, are chosen from those Class. He held the position of assistant Merit for any officer who participated who receive Citations of Merit. Superintendents of the Ohio State Highway Patrol 2 Colonel Scott B. Radcliffe Superintendent, 1959 – 1964 Colonel Scott B. Radcliffe was an areas and acquired its first helicopter. administrator committed to improving Leaders installed a new chemistry lab highway safety and the working at general headquarters and hired a conditions of his officers. civilian chemist to aid field personnel Born June 20, 1904, in Circleville, with laboratory examination of evidence. Ohio, Colonel Radcliffe was a graduate During his tenure, the 105th General of the First Academy Class at Camp Assembly approved $1.5 million to build Perry, and was the division’s first O.W. the Division’s long-awaited Academy at Merrell Award winner. He was honored the Ohio State Fairgrounds. for diving into an icy canal and holding Committed to assisting his officers the head of a trapped motorist out of the to do the best possible job in the most water for nearly 45 minutes until help efficient way, Colonel Radcliffe gave arrived.